Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left ankle disability manifested by pain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for revision of rating decisions on the basis that there was no clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the July 2011 and August 2010 rating decisions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and an initial rating for MRSA residuals, as well as secondary conditions related to those residuals, due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for back strain but denied service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected back disability, and service connection for sleep apnea and right leg radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with mild disc narrowing, 30 percent for cervical strain and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and 30 percent for migraine headaches. The right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for athletes foot and a back condition to ensure the Veteran receives proper notice of his right to a hearing.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support a finding that it was due to service, began during active service, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board remands the issues of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability, and separate compensable ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy prior to August 12, 2018, due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's neck strain, finding that it did not meet the criteria for unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or a TDIU based on his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's low back disability at various stages, finding that the criteria for increased ratings were not met.

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the back condition from April 13, 2017, and denied ratings in excess of 40 percent for the back condition and in excess of 30 percent for the neck condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent from September 1, 2017, due to a factually ascertainable worsening in the condition.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with IVDS, status post microdiscectomy from February 1, 2014, to March 22, 2023, and a 40 percent rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome (to include rotator cuff tear).

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, disability manifested by skin rash and lesions on feet and hands, respiratory disability manifested by difficulty breathing, disability manifested by muscle pain and cramping, and joint pain in arms and legs, and chronic headaches, all due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for lower lumbar disability, upper respiratory disability, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or an earlier effective date for a TTD rating.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for a bilateral knee injury and low back injury, and these issues are therefore dismissed.