Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has restored a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain effective January 1, 2019. However, the case is remanded to obtain updated VA and private treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and lower back condition. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and granted service connection for a left knee disability and low back disability, both found to be proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, CFS, and a lumbar spine disability have been reopened. Service connection is granted for headaches.,Service connection for CFS and the lumbar spine disability are remanded due to unresolved issues.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 12, 2018, for service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability from July 12, 2018, has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to provide a proper service connection opinion for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral foot warts and spine disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran is denied an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, as the condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on nasal obstruction or polyps.,The Veteran's unknown rashes due to exposure in Southwest Asia and right and left knee disabilities are pending further examination and analysis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back condition, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to his active duty. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis or headaches, and denied service connection for back disorder and right epididymitis (now claimed as erectile dysfunction).

The Veteran's right hip disability, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD/Major Depressive Disorder), lumbar spine disability and left knee disability are all granted as service-connected due to aggravation during active duty.,The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that he did not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to January 26, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the RO's failure to issue a rating decision. The Board will now take jurisdiction over these matters and order the RO to issue a new rating decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining claims for psychiatric, back, sciatica, headaches, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, and hypertension are remanded.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's cervical spine DDD and TDIU benefits, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for increased ratings or entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased rating, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess his conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for hypertension, GERD, and thoracic outlet syndrome due to potential exposure during a TERA. Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis, cervical degenerative disc disease, and IBS.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis, was incurred in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left hip residuals status post labral repair, and right foot plantar fasciitis due to credible lay evidence of continuous symptoms since separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and migraines, as well as service connection for low back, bilateral hip, and fibromyalgia disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.