Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury during active duty training (ADT).,The appeal for a higher initial rating for tinnitus was dismissed due to the Veteran not timely filing his Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain and hand numbness, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from May 31, 2019.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability, as reducing it to 20 percent was improper due to lack of evidence showing actual improvement in function.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions cause him to need the regular aid and attendance of another person to remain clean and presentable, and to protect him from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding severance of service connection for hemorrhoids and denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for a back disability, as well as TDIU. The Veteran's back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis. His other conditions do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, a skin disability, migraines, and a respiratory disability (including rhinitis and sinusitis) due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left wrist, right wrist, and back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for lumbosacral arthritis due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's records, including his military history and treatment records, need to be obtained to determine if his back pain is related to service.

The Veteran's COPD is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on lung function tests.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on range of motion.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the Veteran's claim of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and thus remands the case.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee disabilities are granted, while the claims for skin, shoulder, and low back conditions are denied. The effective dates for these decisions have not been specified.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was incurred in or caused by his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The appeals of the denial of service connection for various conditions are dismissed due to the AMA effective date. The Veteran's initial ratings for hemorrhoids and asthma are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the spine with a compression fracture at T8-T9, lower extremity radiculopathy and DJD thoracic, is related to his military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with lumbosacral strain, spinal stenosis, and degenerative arthritis due to a lack of formal or informal claims within one year of the prior denial.

The Veteran's cervical sprain, old minor fractures of spinous processes of T1&C6, and cervical spine, mild spondylosis & mild degenerative disc disease C5-C6 claimed as neck condition has been rated at 20 percent disabling since October 10, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran's disability picture more nearly approximates a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for diagnosed right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, lumbar strain, and cervical spine disability characterized by painful limited motion. The Veteran's symptoms of pain and limited range of motion have been recurrent since his military service.