Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent each. The low back disability has also been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent. No higher ratings are warranted for any of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to his withdrawal of the appeal in writing, stating that once these disabilities have been withdrawn, there should be no disabilities under the appeal process.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral leg/knee pain. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a right hip condition are all granted. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the right hip condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the Board denies her claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, or right knee condition.,For his left hip conditions, he was granted a 10 percent rating for limitation of extension and no other ratings were granted. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's low back disorder and gynecological disorder have been granted service connection, with the gynecological disorder receiving a 30% disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability and right shoulder disability, finding that the conditions had their onset during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain as there is no persuasive evidence that it began during or was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his evaluation for a painful, unstable, and non-healing left forehead scar from 20% to 10% was dismissed as he requested withdrawal of this issue during the hearing. The appeals for restoration of ratings for his lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities were granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate her previously denied claim of service connection for a back disability, and has determined that she is entitled to service connection for lumbosacral strain and spinal stenosis.

The Veteran's effective date for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at the housebound level is granted as of May 10, 2007. The decision was based on his service-connected disabilities totaling 60 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to active service. The other issues remain denied as there is no current diagnosis of a back disability or bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for neck, back, hip, knee, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to incomplete records. The Veteran's STRs do not reflect injuries sustained in November 1996 during a rappelling exercise.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection, but right ear hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's back and left hip disorders are remanded for additional examination and opinion. The Veteran's intestinal disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a back disorder, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, low back pain, and lower extremity neuropathy are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of March 1, 2021 for the awards of a TDIU, establishment of basic eligibility for DEA under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35, and SMC based on housebound status due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders are granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's cervical spine strain. However, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.