Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lower back disability is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's genitourinary disorder, including kidney stones and benign prostatic hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms, remains under review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from performing the physical acts required for employment, and therefore compensation for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his lumbar degenerative disc disease and TDIU are being remanded due to the AOJ not considering all evidence in the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted service connection. The cases for left shoulder condition and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not productive of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, and the Board denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his condition.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other specified trauma or stress-related disorder and PTSD) claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence from VA clinicians. A new VA examination and medical opinion are needed.,The Veteran's right knee disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service or is related to his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's right hip disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, is related to his in-service fall, or was noted during service with continuity of symptoms since service.,The Veteran's left hip disability is remanded for an addendum opinion from a clinician to determine if the sartorius muscle injury and spurring at the acetabulum are related to his in-service fall.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, is related to his service-connected left knee disability or bilateral shin splints, or was noted during service with continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee conditions, and a left ankle condition were granted in full upon remand. The Board finds that additional remands are required due to the need to obtain VA treatment records from after January 2020.

The Board has determined that the VA remand instructions were not followed and thus the claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for revision of a May 2001 rating decision that assigned a 40 percent rating effective October 27, 2000, for a lumbar spine disability on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 3.105 because the May 2001 decision was not final.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, identified as lumbar spine DJD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and credible statements of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, TDIU, and DEA benefits. The appeal was dismissed for an earlier effective date claim regarding SMC benefits prior to February 28, 2018.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to new and relevant evidence received since the July 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted. The claim for a condition manifested by cysts/benign growths and/or lipomas is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for a back condition is denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is denied because there is no current diagnosis of such a disability within the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right shoulder bursitis, left shoulder bursitis, and low back condition due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at a noncompensable disability rating from March 18, 2008 to January 8, 2015 and granted a 10% disability rating effective November 9, 2001 for his left ear hearing loss and April 23, 2007 for his right ear hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking a 10% disability rating from March 18, 2008 to January 8, 2015.,The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with DDD was rated at a noncompensable disability rating prior to October 19, 2020 and denied an increased rating. The Veteran is seeking a 40% disability rating from April 7, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, IVDS, and degenerative disc disease with chronic strain was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a 40 percent disability evaluation were met since June 5, 2018.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeals.