Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for mild lumbosacral degenerative disc disease due to pre-decisional errors and insufficient medical opinions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's back condition.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant has been dismissed.,His claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine disability is denied, as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis or functional equivalent of ankylosis. The Veteran retains some range of motion despite pain and limited function.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted effective December 13, 2019.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disorder, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition on a secondary basis to his service-connected bilateral feet and hip conditions.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and lumbosacral strain have been denied.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has not met the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reduced the Veteran's cervical spine evaluation from 30 percent to 20 percent, finding that her forward flexion improved to 30 degrees. The reduction was proper as it did not affect her overall compensation and there is no evidence of an actual change in disability level.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was remanded multiple times, and the effective dates were ultimately granted as of March 13, 2008.,Initial disability ratings greater than 20 percent are also being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine due to additional development being necessary, including a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as it was granted in a December 2022 rating decision. The restoration of the 40 percent disability rating for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted, but the reduction to 20 percent from July 1, 2020, is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar disc disease, left hip injury and arthritis, and right hip injury and arthritis. The decision is based on new evidence received after the April 2020 rating decision that supports a finding of in-service causation.

The Veteran's right hip disability is granted with a 70% rating, effective July 11, 2019.,His back disability is rated at 70%, and he also receives separate ratings for his right hip flail joint (80%).,Special monthly compensation (SMC) was granted from August 16, 2016, to July 21, 2020, and again from October 1, 2021, to August 10, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a back disability due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination, and thus requires further medical opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted in March 2023, effective November 23, 2022. The decision also granted increased ratings for migraines and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, effective from November 2, 2020. The limitation of flexion is noted to be at worst 45 degrees during flare-ups.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Board has dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for hypertension was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, low back disorder, and cervical spine disorder claims are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder and right ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The Veteran is also seeking an initial rating for allergic rhinitis, which has been granted.

The Board has revised the October 23, 2017 rating decision to grant an initial 40 percent disability rating for service-connected lumbosacral and thoracic strain with flare-ups, effective from July 1, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back condition are granted service connection, but the claim for a left hip condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated as noncompensable, but a 30 percent rating has been granted for the appeal period due to the presence of nasal polyps.,For service connection claims for lumbar spine disorder and right ear hearing loss, additional evidence may be needed to determine their etiology.