Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for scoliosis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis, and cervical strain based on the Veteran's contention that these conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for anxiety, PTSD, back disability, headaches, craniopharyngioma, and OSA have all been granted. The Board found that the current diagnoses are etiologically related to in-service stressors and events.

Your claims for service connection have been resolved in full with the grant of benefits. No further action is needed.

Effective dates of December 11, 2015, but no earlier, have been granted for the awards of service connection for lumbar spine and right hip disabilities.,Initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for both conditions are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a low back disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and service connection for plantar fasciitis, and these issues have been dismissed.

The Board has denied the readjudication of claims for service connection for various knee, shoulder, ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities as no new and relevant evidence was received to reopen these claims.

Service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted.,The issue of service connection for sinusitis is dismissed as moot due to the VA RO's independent grant prior to the Board decision.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was evaluated at a 10 percent rating from June 15, 2015 to the present. The Board denied an initial higher rating as the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on range of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lower back disability, finding that there is no evidence showing symptoms warranting a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a thyroid condition and a low back condition due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's hypothyroidism is related to post-service surgery, but it is unclear if this relates to in-service exposure. For the low back condition, there is no evidence of injury in service, and the Board finds that a VA examination is needed.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and bilateral lower extremity disability due to the Veteran's death.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) are remanded.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine is now rated at 40 percent, effective from May 28, 2018. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are now rated at 100 percent, also effective from May 28, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA opinions and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his service-connected back disability and radiculopathies of the lower extremities have been dismissed due to a withdrawal request by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically in obtaining SSA records and service treatment records. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of her lumbosacral strain and service connection for radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Board finds duty to assist errors in the pre-decisional evidence.