Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The Veteran is asked to be rescheduled and provided with another opportunity to attend an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for additional records from private practitioners. The case will be returned for further evaluation of his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and related radiculopathy conditions were granted increased ratings, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a 20% rating from June 18, 2015 to March 28, 2023. The initial ratings for RLE sciatic and femoral radiculopathies were also granted at 10%. These decisions are effective as of the dates noted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. The current evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and PTSD due to issues with the factual basis of a VA examination report and the need to address the Veteran's statements regarding symptom onset.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for PTSD, lower back disability, tinnitus, insomnia, and hearing loss was granted. The Board found new and material evidence in support of the PTSD claim, but denied reopening of the lower back disability claim due to lack of material evidence. Tinnitus is service-connected as it manifested during active duty. Hearing loss and insomnia are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The appeal seeking a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable disabilities has been dismissed as moot due to the assignment of a 10 percent disability rating. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The lower back, left hip, and right hip conditions are denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's low back disability and migraine headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted, but the issue of an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,Service connection for a lower back condition is granted. The Board finds that service connection is warranted based on in-service events and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip displacement and a back disability as secondary to his preexisting status post bilateral distal femoral epiphyseodesis surgeries for genu valgum with acquired left leg shortening are denied because he is not service-connected for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, a lumbar spine disorder, and tinnitus. The appeals for left hallux valgus, right hallux valgus, and migraines have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's disabilities are related to his service-connected conditions or if they were caused by other factors. The claims will be returned after further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with prior directives. The issues include evaluations for lumbosacral strain, right and left thigh disabilities, and left hip strain.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating from May 29, 2019, is denied. Effective October 1, 2017, the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine and tension headaches, along with lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment outside of a protected environment. The Board granted TDIU on an extra-schedular basis effective December 20, 2023.

The Veteran has withdrawn their claims for service connection for dyspepsia, erectile dysfunction, back disability, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy through a VA Form 20-0996 Decision Review Request: Higher Level Review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now granted. Service connection is established for low back disability, left hip disability, left thigh disability, and bilateral knee condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back, bilateral leg, and bilateral ankle disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and credible reports of in-service stressors, which are sufficient to establish service connection.