Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU under the schedular criteria prior to January 9, 2017. The Board finds that an extra-schedular evaluation is required due to inadequate opinion from the Director of Compensation Services and a pre-decisional duty to assist error by the AOJ.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, acne vulgaris, scar from right knee surgery, and lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis are all rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The Board has remanded for further review of these claims.,The Veteran's hearing loss is not compensable as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on audiometric test results. His acne vulgaris and lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis are also rated at their maximum allowed under VA guidelines, and the Board has remanded these claims.,The Veteran's scar from right knee surgery and scar from lumbar laminectomy do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as they do not occupy an area of 929 square centimeters or greater.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headache disability, and left knee chondromalacia patellae were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee chondromalacia patellae was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability began during his active service and granted service connection for it.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error for the claims of service connection for various lower extremity disorders. The Veteran's STRs are unavailable, and he has reported in-service injuries. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any current diagnoses exist and whether they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, back disability, ulcer, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection is not granted as there is no evidence that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a mid-back condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability began during his active duty and is linked to his military service.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to NSAIDs used for his service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis status post discectomy and bilateral shoulder strain.

The appellant has withdrawn their appeal, satisfied with the current ratings and effective dates for all issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, as the Veteran's current diagnosis is not supported by an adequate etiology opinion. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for increased ratings on bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, lumbosacral strain, and tension headaches are dismissed as they were part of pending claims in the VA's legacy appeal system.

The Veteran's NOD was timely filed, and the AOJ should provide him with a Statement of the Case regarding his claims for service connection for lumbar disability, obstructive sleep apnea, earlier effective date for bilateral plantar fasciitis, and increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and service connection for an intestinal disorder (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome) are both remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's left ankle DJD is granted a 20% evaluation, but his lumbar spine DJD and TBI are both remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar disability and related radiculopathies have been granted with effective dates of February 24, 2017.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection. The lumbosacral strain is granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The initial compensable ratings for chronic sinusitis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right elbow lateral epicondylitis are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical cancer, finding that new and relevant evidence supports the claim. The appeal is dismissed for all other issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing service treatment records. The Veteran's low back condition is being reviewed again for proper consideration.