Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, but the claims for back disability, bilateral CTS, and bilateral leg disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD. Service connection is denied for a lower back condition and tinnitus is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims through his attorney.

The Veteran's appeal of the June 2019 rating decision was dismissed because it was a concurrent election, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to address such an appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially contribute to his employment handicap, and he was found employable with his current skills, experience, and education. The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits as he does not have an employment handicap.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities. The cervical spine disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back condition is remanded due to the lack of an adequate medical opinion linking his current back conditions to service. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's back condition is granted as secondary to her service-connected foot condition. The claims for right and left shin splints are remanded.

The Veteran's emergency medical care at Hampshire Memorial Hospital on October 17, 2022 is eligible for payment under VA regulations due to the favorable findings in a previous authorization. The Veteran's other health insurance (Medicare A) did not fully cover the costs.

The Veteran's left foot, right foot (other than pes planus), and low back disabilities were not caused by or incurred in service.,The Veteran's right hip condition was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 40 percent evaluation from October 21, 2020 was granted. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected lumbar disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including arthritis, had its onset during service and is currently manifested. The thoracolumbar spine disability is also considered to have been incurred during service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as she does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun in service and has persisted, with the Board finding that reasonable doubt must be resolved in her favor.

Service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted.,The Veteran's initial rating for generalized anxiety disorder prior to October 4, 2018 was increased to 50 percent. The rating of 70 percent from April 29, 2019 onwards is also granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, lumbar retrolisthesis and spinal narrowing from September 30, 2019 to December 8, 2020, and major depressive disorder have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar facet arthropathy with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain an adequate examination prior to the June 2023 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial evaluation higher than 10 percent for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine and left leg pain associated with the lumbar spine, as well as a TDIU rating. The VA will obtain retrospective opinions to assess the Veteran's conditions from October 2009 to May 2018, and may refer the claim for an extraschedular TDIU if not granted based on schedular criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, specifically regarding the lack of an opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran will need a new VA examination.