Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran is also granted a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, but the case is remanded to obtain updated treatment records and conduct another examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder did not have its onset during service and denied service connection.

The Veteran's disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were restored to their previous levels, effective October 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back condition and sleep apnea due to missing VA treatment records. The AOJ is required to upload all VA treatment records, including those from Dr. C.B., into the Veteran's claims file.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, neck disability, low back disability, right hip disability, heart disability, and residuals of strokes are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and reliance on an irrelevant M21-1 provision. The Veteran's representative, VA General Counsel, and Court have requested a new examination and reconsideration of the rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back disability, a separate rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU due to unemployability. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's low back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and kidney disability are all service-connected. The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the low back condition prior to December 21, 2022, and a 100 percent rating for loss of use of both feet from February 2, 2021, to December 21, 2022. The Veteran's kidney disability is rated at 60 percent or more.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability due to incomplete development of records. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and whether he has sciatica as a result of this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back condition and major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for right knee, respiratory, obstructive sleep apnea, skin cancer, migraine headache, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities were denied. The claim for TDIU was also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for the conditions listed, with presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's reduction from a 40 percent to a 20 percent rating for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine was improper and has been restored.,An effective date of July 13, 2015, is granted for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy. Effective dates prior to August 11, 2015, are denied for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome and tinnitus.,The Veteran's initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 20 percent.,Initial ratings greater than 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as it was not incurred in or related to her active service.,The Veteran's back condition is denied as it is not caused by or aggravated by her left shoulder condition, and the Board finds that all reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.,Service connection for hypertension is granted as it is aggravated by her service-connected left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection as secondary to his existing hearing loss. The back disability, bilateral leg disability, cataracts, and aching hair on the head are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions due to inadequate evaluations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine, left knee, right knee, right shoulder, and right ankle conditions. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, OSA, and neck disorder due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted, with a 40 percent disability rating effective May 8, 2023. The current rating is based on the findings from the VA examination in May 2023.