Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to March 2, 2021, have been dismissed as the appellant (via his authorized representative) has requested withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several ankle sprains, shin splints, and nerve conditions have been dismissed.,Service connection for TBI has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a low back condition, service connection for neuropathy of the LLE and RLE associated with his service-connected low back condition, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied. The claim for TDIU has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her back disabilities is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Viral labyrinthitis, left knee strain, and lumbar strain are denied as not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is being remanded due to the need to provide qualifications of the VA examiners who conducted the examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance is being remanded due to missing private treatment records from Dr. S.M. at South Shore Medical Center, which are necessary for a complete evaluation of the Veteran's condition.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 8, 2019 for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right wrist sprain, and left wrist sprain. The effective dates are based on the date of receipt of the Veteran's claim within one year after separation from active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's diagnoses and their relation to service.

The Veteran's TDIU and a 50% disability rating for major depressive disorder were granted effective November 1, 2017. The Board found that the earlier effective date was warranted based on the receipt of an Intent to File form prior to the actual filing of claims.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for migraines, bilateral pes planus, and low back strain. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a back disability, a bilateral feet disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to incomplete records from his active duty in the United States Army.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and instructions not being followed. The issues of service connection for various conditions are now pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective dates for the grants of service connection are May 31, 2017 (for lumbosacral strain and right knee strain and patellofemoral pain syndrome) and January 16, 2019 (for allergic rhinitis). The claims for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, irritable bowel syndrome, bronchitis, and a left ankle condition are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis, degenerative changes/spondylosis of the lumbar region, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right knee were denied service connection as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and IVDS of the cervical spine, lumbosacral strain, and thoracic scoliosis. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that may affect his eligibility. The AOJ needs to verify his employment history and provide him with a TDIU application form.

The Board has remanded both the low back pain and PTSD claims due to a duty to assist error in prior decisions. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is recharacterized to include all psychiatric disorders reasonably raised by the record, while his low back pain claim requires further examination and opinion.

Effective dates of April 8, 2003, for service connection were granted for degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spinal stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine; radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity; radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity; radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the left lower extremity; radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the right lower extremity. Effective date of May 17, 2012, for service connection was granted for a traumatic brain injury with posttraumatic headaches. An effective date prior to February 8, 2016, for urinary incontinence was denied.,An earlier effective date of April 8, 2003, is granted for the awards of service connection for disabilities of the thoracolumbar spine and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. An effective date of May 17, 2012, is granted for the award of service connection for posttraumatic headaches due to traumatic brain injury. No earlier effective date is granted for urinary incontinence.