Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for traumatic brain injury and sinusitis, but granted the restoration of a 30 percent rating for allergic rhinitis with hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates effective February 1, 2025. The Board also remanded the claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated as 10 percent disabling, and the claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, a back disability, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve condition are remanded.

The case is remanded to obtain addendum medical opinions addressing the service connection for a lumbar spine disability and the severity of the right great toe fracture residuals.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine with neural encroachment L4-5, but denied service connection for sleep apnea and a righthand disability. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a headache condition and a lower back condition, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions began during or as a result of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of impairment.

The Board granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, migraines, hypertension, low back condition, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies as secondary to the low back condition, cervical strain with degenerative changes of the cervical spine, left and right upper extremity radiculopathies as secondary to the cervical strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee condition, left and right ankle conditions.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea but dismissed the claim for a low back disability due to an earlier grant of benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date than June 30, 2022, for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability.

The Board remands the appeal to obtain an opinion from a clinician as to whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC, given that the Veteran has been determined to be in need of personal care services for at least six continuous months based on an inability to perform certain ADLs.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for a thoracolumbar spine disorder due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the need for notice regarding the Veteran's right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and a neck disability, both diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, based on the evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the lumbosacral strain from May 18, 2023, to December 12, 2023, and denied ratings in excess of 20 percent prior to May 18, 2023, and in excess of 40 percent since December 12, 2023. Service connection for bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities was also granted as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased rating due to untimely filings.

The appeal for a higher disability rating for the Veteran's back condition was dismissed due to the withdrawal of the claim during a Board hearing.

The appeal for service connection for COPD, a right hand disability, and a left hand disability was denied. The appeal for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was dismissed. Service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease with dextroscoliosis, and invertebral disc disease (IVDS), as well as knee instability, was granted with specific ratings.,The Veteran's right hand disability is not related to service.,The Veteran's left hand disability is not related to service.,The appeal for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been dismissed.,A 40 percent rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease with dextroscoliosis, and invertebral disc disease (IVDS), was granted from February 22, 2022. A 20 percent rating for right knee instability and left knee instability was granted from March 7, 2021.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and a thoracolumbar spine disability was dismissed due to a claims processing error, while the appeal for sinusitis was denied. The Veteran's initial rating for mild restrictive lung disease (RLD) was granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for medial plantar nerve neuropathy of the left foot, denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and an initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis, and remanded claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a lumbar spine disability, and a right knee disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition, left leg condition, and right leg condition due to an inadequate VA medical opinion.