Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the assignment of a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected DJD of the lumbosacral spine at L5-S1, and awards of service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees based on limitation of flexion are denied.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining and considering evidence, as well as a need for an additional VA medical opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various psoriatic arthritis disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional verification of his National Guard and Air Force Reserve service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a rating more than 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability requires regular aid and assistance of another person, qualifying him for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of housebound status is moot due to the award of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and sciatica of the right and left lower extremities are rated at 40 percent each, effective as of September 5, 2024. A TDIU is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's active-duty service is noted as a factor in his complaints of pain.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis of the spine, degenerative disc disease, and IVDS was granted with an effective date of March 11, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his right knee surgical scar was denied. The Board found that the scar did not exist prior to the surgery and therefore, no earlier effective date is warranted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right knee surgical scar was also denied. The VA examiner concluded that there was no evidence of pain or instability in the scar.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability are found to have caused his obesity, which in turn caused his OSA. The Board has granted service connection for OSA on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her lower back disability and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type 2 (DM II) and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims of service connection for a headache disability, low back disability, and heart disability remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left thigh disability, finding that the evidence did not support current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and cervical spine disability were restored to their previous levels, effective March 29, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hearing loss or tinnitus, and the effective dates were granted based on continuous pursuit of claims since May 2021.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,There is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain (previously diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine) and allergic rhinitis, finding that both conditions are related to active service.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence meeting VA's criteria. The Board has also remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and lumbar spine disability, as well as the claim for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder conditions, all of which are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent staph infections has been denied as there is no new and relevant evidence received since the July 2015 rating decision.,The appeal of a proposed reduction in the PTSD disability rating to 50% was dismissed because it was not an appealable final decision.