Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected left lumbar flank scar is granted a 10% disability rating, effective prior to November 22, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, finding that it was not incurred in or caused by service and is not related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress (claimed as depression and anxiety), left knee disability, and low back disability due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran needs new evaluations to address the issues raised in the Joint Motion for Remand (JMR).

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for a back disability and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA records and medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine condition is denied. However, the Veteran is granted a 40 percent disability rating for the period on appeal prior to January 3, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of PTSD from August 13, 2018 to July 18, 2019 is granted. The Board has also determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine condition and left leg condition need further development due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability and hepatitis C is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 30 percent rating prior to April 21, 2021. From that date, the claim for higher ratings remains pending.

A higher rating for the lumbar spine disorder is denied. A 40 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy as of March 30, 2020, is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision. The issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been rated, but the issues of service connection for PTSD and radiculopathy of the lower left extremity (LLE) are remanded. The Veteran also has ongoing issues with shin splints and adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, right ankle disorder, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Service connection for the left knee disability and bilateral high frequency hearing loss was initially granted in March 1997 with an effective date of December 30, 1996. The Veteran's appeal to increase these effective dates is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate opinions and missing service personnel records.

The Board has remanded all service connection claims due to the submission of additional VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) and an effective date prior to May 12, 2017. The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are also remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. Additional VA treatment records received in August 2022 must be referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim has been denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not established due to lack of evidence showing a current disability within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's low back disability.