Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and right leg radiculopathy due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 4, 2022.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than September 5, 2017 for his service-connected PTSD. The appeal regarding the lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to a lack of communication prior to September 5, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left knee disorder, and low back disorder due to the need for additional development. Specifically, addendum opinions are needed regarding whether these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active-duty service, including considering the Veteran's weight/BMI during service and his toxic exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as lower back condition) and denied the claims for right ear hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, and an effective date prior to June 30, 2016.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) is remanded due to potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, is remanded due to potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a back condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a right shoulder condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a left ankle condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a right ankle condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left leg, right leg, right shoulder, and back disabilities, all of which are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and SMC is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of the record.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased evaluations for a back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss due to unresolved development needs.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine condition and cervical spine condition. Service connection was granted for sinusitis due to burn pit exposure under the PACT Act, but not under any other theory of entitlement.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various ratings and TDIU claims related to his low back disability, frostbite residuals in his left hand, PTSD, and TDIU prior to May 31, 2017. The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for postoperative herniated lumbosacral discs, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted a temporary total evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability due to surgery necessitating at least one month of convalescence following back surgeries in January and August 2018.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date of May 5, 1998, for the award of a separate rating for right knee surgical scars is granted. The remaining issues are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or aggravation and concluded that any current condition was pre-existing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings due to deficiencies in VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, with urinary incontinence as there is no probative evidence of record demonstrating that his back condition is etiologically related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's back brace, right knee brace, and left knee brace were found to cause wear and tear on his clothing due to regular use during 2015. The topical skin cream and pain cream used for service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.,Entitlement was granted for annual clothing allowances for back brace, right knee brace, and left knee brace in 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examinations and evaluations to determine appropriate disability ratings for his service-connected conditions.