Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The appeal of the proposed action to reduce the disability ratings for neck strain with degenerative disc disease and cervical spondylosis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are dismissed as a matter of law.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and lumbar DDD/spondylosis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the remaining claims for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and back disabilities due to a need for VA examinations to determine their nature and etiology, particularly in relation to the Veteran's service-connected ingrown toenail disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for postural vertigo, lumbosacral strain with DDD and degenerative changes, eczematous dermatitis of the hands and intermittent axillary eruption, and service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board remands the claim for a higher rating for lumbar spinal stenosis to obtain an addendum opinion considering the impact of pain medications on the Veteran's back symptoms.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection, thus the Board has no jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Veteran was granted a separate initial evaluation of 20 percent for right knee instability from January 29, 2019 to March 5, 2025. The other claims were remanded.

The veteran withdrew the appeal regarding all claims for service connection, and the Board dismissed these claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and a psychiatric disorder to schedule VA examinations.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders to obtain additional evidence and a medical examination.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 20, 2020, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with psoriatic arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board remands all service connection claims for further development, specifically to provide the veteran with adequate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, a left knee disorder, a right knee disorder, a left ankle disorder, and a right ankle disorder.

The Board granted service connection for dermatitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The initial ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and shin splints of the left lower extremity were denied.

The Board granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma as secondary to actinic keratosis, which is a progression of the Veteran's service-connected dermatitis. The effective date for the grant of service connection for painful scars of the face was denied earlier than October 20, 2022.

The Veteran's back disability was granted a rating of 40 percent, but not higher, from March 9, 2021. The other issues were remanded for further consideration.

The Board granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, but denied increased ratings for the Veteran's foot, cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, psychiatric disorder, and other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) based on credible evidence of in-service combat-related injuries and a causal relationship to the current disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities for a new VA examination and etiological opinion due to inadequate previous opinions.