Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from April 1, 2001 to May 20, 2010.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent. The Board has denied a higher rating for this condition as it is not available under applicable regulations. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating since November 2, 2015 meets the percentage requirements and he is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right and left lower radiculopathy caused his obesity, which in turn led to obstructive sleep apnea. The Board granted entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies a TDIU for any part of the rating period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues has been remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional evidence, including medical opinions related to potential toxic exposure claims under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, requiring additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.,Service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no probative evidence that the Veteran had continuous symptoms since active duty or within one year post-service, and his current condition is not linked to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examination regarding flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of these conditions.

Your claim for service connection for a low back condition was deferred in the April 2022 rating decision. You submitted an NOD, but the Board dismissed your appeal as the deferral did not constitute a final determination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection and increased rating, leaving no grounds for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoraco-lumbar myositis with IVDS, left ankle impingement, OSA, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle disorder has also been denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and neck disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain (back condition) and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica), finding that these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected feet, ankle, and/or knee conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and he seeks a higher rating. The Board finds the June 2021 VA examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes due to inconsistent findings regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder condition, right knee condition, and low back condition due to insufficient medical opinions in the October 2020 VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve, and sciatic nerves were granted effective from February 28, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder, specifically whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on his service-connected back conditions, bilateral knee conditions, right eyebrow scar, and cyst have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.