Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, and back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and the submission of missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is granted service connection and rated at 20 percent.,Her chronic lumbar strain (back disability) is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his associated radiculopathies are rated appropriately. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the rating for GERD with hiatal hernia was dismissed due to his withdrawal. The appeals for PTSD, low back disability, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, right knee condition, high cholesterol, and heart condition as these issues have been fully granted in a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection has been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found no basis for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right tibia fracture residuals, denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and requested further examination and development for low back condition and PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for various conditions, including bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left inguinal hernia scar, spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease, and left inguinal hernia. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes sufficient to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a maximum 100 percent rating.,For his left and right knee conditions, the Board has found insufficient evidence to determine their etiology and remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The claims for lower right back pain, right knee injury, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are granted on the merits. The claim for a headache disorder (migraines) and TBI remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the condition had its onset in active-duty service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, including gastro-soleus equinus syndrome and bilateral pes planus (plantar fasciitis), is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability was caused by his service-connected bilateral ankle disability. The low back disability is also linked to the service-connected bilateral ankle disability and bilateral feet disabilities.,PTSD is found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service, with a diagnosis of PTSD confirmed in private examination reports.,ED is determined to be secondary to PTSD, as diagnosed by a private examiner.,Obstructive sleep apnea is also found to be secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, hypertension, low back disorder, neck disorder, and left foot disorder have been dismissed without prejudice. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, neck disorder, and left foot disorder are granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded.,The Veteran's obesity claim was denied as it is not a compensable disability. His claims for service connection for a low back disorder, neck disorder, and left foot disorder were granted based on his MOS duties and slip and fall injury during service. His hypertension claim is pending due to the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address issues related to a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 21, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter, for residuals of a fracture of the L2 vertebra with chronic low back pain. The propriety of the separately assigned rating for RLE radiculopathy is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left hip disabilities, back disability, and PTSD have been denied. The VA has granted a separate 10% rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for invertebral disc syndrome and TDIU are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional information regarding her employment status.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for lumbar radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve prior to October 5, 2020.

The Board has found that the Veteran's appeals for right and left hip conditions, lumbosacral strain, a right ankle scar, and hypertensive vascular disease were not valid under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) procedures. The issues are now being remanded to address these procedural deficiencies.