Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected hematuria, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Board also remanded several claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with disc bulge to include Degenerative Arthritis (DA), Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) disabilities have rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, and radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board remands the claim for a low back disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion that considers the Veteran's lay statements and in-service treatment records.

The Board remands the claim for an increased disability rating for arthritis with spondylosis and spurring of the lumbar spine due to a need for further development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion and addressing the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings for various service-connected conditions, except for a few granted evaluations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including plantar fasciitis of both feet, a low back disability, a left ankle disability, meniscus tears in both knees, and hip disabilities, as additional development is necessary to obtain adequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for neck, shoulder, low back, hip, headache, and tinnitus disabilities as there was insufficient evidence of a present disability or functional impairment related to the claimed conditions during or proximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the claims for back, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities for readjudication with new evidence.

The Board remands the issues of a disability rating for a low back disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board remands the case for further development and readjudication of the veteran's claims.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, entitlement to TDIU, and special monthly compensation due to the need for additional development.

The Board remands the case for further development and verification of any additional periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Board granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the right great toe fracture but denied increased ratings for lumbosacral and thoracic strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, acromioclavicular joint separation, right shoulder, and service connection for joint pains.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and back disability but granted a TDIU. Several service connection claims were remanded.

The Board granted initial ratings of 70 percent for a psychiatric disability, 40 percent for a low back disability, and 20 percent each for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve. The claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome was denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for a psychiatric disability, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of extension, instability, and painful limitation of flexion were granted a rating. Service connection was also granted for cervical spine, left knee, right ankle, left shoulder, right shoulder, and right wrist disabilities as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board granted service connection for right ankle bursitis, left ankle bursitis, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, a 30 percent rating for the right knee condition, and an initial 10 percent rating for sinusitis.

The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, DJD, from December 17, 1997 to June 3, 2022, and the effective date for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was also set at December 17, 1997. However, a higher rating or TDIU was denied.