Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to August 28, 2017, and a rating in excess of 20 percent from that date.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between the condition and active duty service.

The Board remands multiple claims for higher initial ratings and other benefits due to the need for additional development, including an examination regarding atrophy in the Veteran's legs.

The Board denied increased ratings for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with IVDS, left knee medial meniscectomy, right knee strain with tendonitis, and left knee instability. A separate 10 percent evaluation was granted for residuals of a left knee meniscectomy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities to obtain an adequate medical opinion that considers the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and back disorder as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, effective February 1, 2025, as the reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, and total disability based on individual unemployability. The claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right toe removal and rating in excess of 40 percent for left hip disability were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for increased ratings for a left knee disability and lumbar strain, finding that there was no factually ascertainable worsening of these conditions within one year prior to the receipt of his intent to file.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left lower extremity disorder, and left knee disorder based on the evidence supporting their direct relationship to the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The claim for lumbosacral strain was remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, painful surgical scars on both feet, and non-compensable ratings for left and right foot surgical scars. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and various musculoskeletal conditions were remanded.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's back disability and remanded several other issues, including service connection for neurological abnormalities associated with the back disability, as well as ratings for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches, back disability, and PTSD due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities due to untimely and improper Notice of Disagreement submissions.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for readjudication of his claim for service connection for a low back disability, as new and relevant evidence had not been submitted since the last decision in April 2023.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition, finding it to be related to the Veteran's already service-connected left hip strain.

The Board denied service connection for back condition, depression and memory loss, and migraine disability but granted service connection for a left hip disability based on in-service onset.