Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of increased rating for lumbar spine disability and readjudication of service connection for colitis due to new evidence received during a hearing.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD. The right shoulder and back conditions are remanded due to procedural errors in the reduction of ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the lack of a proper VA examination and review of the claims file.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for left knee strain and thoracolumbar spine strain to 10 percent effective November 15, 2019. The evidence did not support a reduction in rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and loss of teeth have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various foot, ankle, and knee conditions as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The reduction in the Veteran's disability evaluation for right knee meniscal tear was improper, and a restoration of a 20 percent rating is granted effective December 10, 2019. The issues related to MDD, lumbar strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee meniscal tear, right knee meniscal tear, and bilateral metatarsalgia are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional examinations and opinions to address the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically regarding his low back strain with degenerative joint disease, cervical spine condition, left clavicle fracture, and other symptoms. The issues are related to determining appropriate disability ratings based on the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, from December 26, 2007, to July 17, 2013, for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease; for a rating in excess of 40 percent, from July 18, 2013, for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease; for a rating in excess of 10 percent, from July 18, 2013, to January 6, 2021, for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity; and for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as of January 7, 2021, for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple disabilities, including neck, back, shoulder, and ankle conditions. The issues are related to whether these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her active service.,Secondary service connection for right and left knee disabilities is also granted, with the private medical opinion supporting this determination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability from the rating claim.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, right-hand disability, left-hand disability, left lower extremity sciatic pain, and right lower extremity sciatic pain due to lack of a medical nexus between the conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for headaches due to withdrawal. The issues of service connection for a right middle finger disorder, increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (back disability), right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis are REMANDED.

The Veteran's chronic adjustment disorder was granted service connection. The Board also remanded several other issues for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a back disability, both diagnosed as degenerative joint and disc disease. The decision is based on the Veteran's assertions of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability, prostate disability, left arm disability (hand carpal tunnel), right arm disability (hand carpal tunnel), left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has denied service connection for an eye disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for frostbite of the hands and feet and lumbar spine disorder. The claims are now pending again, with a new examination required for each issue.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the current severity of his left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and back disorder. The issues include seeking a higher rating for left knee disability, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a back disorder secondary to left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disorder and a headache disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology upon which the Board may rely. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.