Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for low back, neck, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, right shoulder, and right arm disabilities based on their onset during service.,Service connection is also granted for TMJ dysfunction and sleep-related bruxism, but the evidence does not support a link to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury, illness or event. The left knee, bilateral foot, and lumbar spine disabilities are granted as they are reasonably shown to be due to in-service injuries, illnesses, or events.,Bilateral hearing loss is granted based on service-connected noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's right knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury, illness or event. The left knee, bilateral foot, and lumbar spine disabilities are granted as they are reasonably shown to be due to in-service injuries, illnesses, or events.,Bilateral hearing loss is granted based on service-connected noise exposure during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 8, 2019, for his TDIU award due to lack of factual support for unemployability prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for eligibility to direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a November 2020 Rating Decision as the appellant withdrew his Notice of Disagreement.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of a back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability and TDIU determination from November 23, 2020 to February 21, 2021 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU based on service-connected disabilities alone.

The Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection and a 50 percent rating for his psychiatric disability prior to September 29, 2019. The appeal is denied for the period after that date.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, but granted service connection for left shoulder arthritis (claimed as bilateral shoulder tendonitis) and right shoulder arthritis. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular rating requirements for TDIU since November 14, 2022. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The issues of service connection for GERD, a lumbar disorder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service exposure to noise during active duty.,The Veteran's lower back condition, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, is presumed to have started in service due to physical demands and a fall.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not obtain all relevant evidence prior to the September 2020 rating decision, and thus remands are necessary for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, insomnia disorder, right knee arthritis, lumbosacral strain, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (low back pain), radiculopathy in the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy in the left lower extremity are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various disabilities, including back pain, ankle joint pain, knee conditions, and wrist sprain. The evidence did not support granting higher ratings or establishing service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain and left knee condition due to inadequate examinations in determining service connection. The Veteran is entitled to additional VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service, including injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.