Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for right hip limitation of flexion is dismissed. The appeals for a greater than 10 percent disability rating for low back strain and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 23, 2014 for the grant of a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran met the schedular criteria for TDIU at that time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral pes planus due to issues with the addendum opinions provided by VA examiners. The examiner is requested to address the Veteran's statements regarding her in-service duties and motor vehicle accidents.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left ankle disabilities before the Board could make a decision.

Service connection granted for tinnitus, but denied for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, left lower and right lower extremity sciatica, left upper and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension.,Hearing loss was not shown during service or within one year post-service. Sciatica and peripheral neuropathy were not diagnosed in service or post-service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition were denied. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and MDD.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, intermittent lumbar strain, radiculopathy of the right and left sciatic nerves, coronary artery disease (heart disability), and allergic and vasomotor rhinitis have been granted. The Veteran receives a 40 percent evaluation for their service-connected intermittent lumbar strain.

The Veteran's ratings for her back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were reduced from 20% to 10%, effective October 1, 2017. The Board has restored these ratings based on procedural errors in reducing them.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the initial decision and has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities and lumbar spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the September 2020 rating decision. The VA is required to obtain a new examination to address whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to service, including wear and tear.

The Veteran's low back disability is not rated higher than 40 percent due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.,Left knee limitations are not rated higher than 20 percent due to lack of limitation of flexion or extension.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss and other conditions are denied. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were dismissed as he did not comply with proper claims processing rules, including failing to submit a valid RAMP Opt-in or timely notice of disagreement.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions relied upon in the June 2022 rating decision are inadequate and remands the case for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability secondary to the Veteran's left knee disorder. The issue of service connection for a headache disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar myositis with degenerative disc disease rendered him incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal, leading to a TDIU. Special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is granted from September 18, 2023.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining medical records and for an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted service connection. The right hip, left knee, and right foot conditions have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional error in not obtaining his complete service personnel records for his period of service in the Navy Reserves. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all Reserve treatment records, specifically any medical records, pertaining to his service in the Army Reserve from October 2008 to April 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative joint disease, L4/5 and L5/S1 and degenerative disc disease L4/5 was denied. The claims for a 20 percent disability rating for lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity, and a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder were granted.