Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar strain (lumbar spine disability) and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.,The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder prior to June 16, 2020 is granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent thereafter is denied. Service connection for a low back disability is denied. TDIU is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury and concluding that any present shoulder issues were less likely caused by his service-connected back problems.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including consideration of an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's low back disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and degenerative changes in the right foot joints are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also granted for a left foot disability, but the issue of back disability remains pending.

The Veteran's cervical strain and right rotator cuff tendinitis were rated at 20 percent each, with the lumbosacral strain rated at 10 percent. The appeals for higher ratings have been denied.,The Veteran was not granted any additional ratings as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bladder disorder and an increased rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease and spondylosis were denied as the evidence did not support these claims. The Board found that there was no medical opinion linking the Veteran's current bladder disorder to his service or any service-connected disability, and that he failed to attend necessary VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 10, 2012 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence meeting the schedular requirements. The Board finds there is sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service connected. The low back disorder, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, and eye disorder are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, but denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to include as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unemployable at any point during the appellate period, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis was denied prior to March 10, 2017.,A subsequent increase in disability rating to 20 percent from March 10, 2017 to May 10, 2021 was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew all his claims before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral lattice degeneration and bilateral atrophic breaks are related to his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The case will also be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and PTSD, and tinnitus due to new evidence showing an in-service injury. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right ankle injury, right heel, and tendonitis was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection for multi-level L4-S1 spinal fusion for degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is granted. The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to November 13, 2017, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD is denied.