Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lumbar spondylosis with a lumbar strain and IVDS, right hip disability, limitation of flexion, right hip DJD are being remanded due to the need for clarification on ranges of motion provided in the January 2022 VA examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability (including PTSD and alcohol use disorder) and a lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the failure to schedule VA examinations as requested in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for a groin disability has been reopened and granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder with alcoholism and substance abuse, which is service-connected.,Service connection for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was established based on direct evidence showing degenerative changes in the spine during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability and bilateral foot disability due to the Veteran's request for a personal hearing after receiving the supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis is granted. The Board also remanded the cases for further development regarding pinched nerve and burning pain on the right side.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as low back pain, is granted due to the evidence being in equipoise regarding whether it is causally related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bowel and gastrointestinal conditions, hepatitis C in remission, sinusitis, allergies (allergic rhinitis), skin disability (eczema, dermatitis, or lichen planus), unspecified joint pains, generalized degenerative arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, back disability, right lower extremity disability, left lower extremity disability, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, left wrist disability, and finger condition for further development.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to March 27, 2023 and 10 percent thereafter. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent effective January 17, 2015. The earlier effective date for the right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted from April 22, 2018. The rating for the right hip disability remains denied.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radicular symptoms have been moderately severe throughout the appeal period, and he is granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent. The left lower extremity radicular symptoms have also been throughout the appeal period but do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to concerns about Gulf War Syndrome and the Veteran's inability to attend VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neurological disabilities of various extremities due to insufficient development and evidence.

The appeals for service connection and increased rating for tension headaches are dismissed. The appeal seeking service connection for lumbosacral strain is also dismissed.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for right foot pes planus and left foot pes planus, finding that the pre-existing conditions increased in severity during service. Service connection is also granted for back disability (arthritis), right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with strain residuals is being remanded due to the need for further evaluation by VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an improper form being used in the initial appeal process.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease from 40% to 20%, effective November 1, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities of the elbows, hands, and lumbar spine are due to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,An initial rating of 30 percent is granted for tension headaches prior to October 26, 2019.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for her service-connected lumbar disability is being remanded due to the need for a more detailed examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's back condition, including right mid-back strain with disc bulge and degenerative changes, did not have its onset in service or is otherwise related to a disease or injury during active-duty service.