Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board issued its final decision, and therefore, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee injury and migraine headaches due to inadequate VA medical opinions, while denying readjudication of the propriety of severance of service connection for lumbar disc herniation at L5-S1 as new and relevant evidence was not submitted.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for a back condition, restored the 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, denied an increased rating for PTSD, and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board remands the case to obtain complete treatment records from the Birmingham VA for the period prior to October 2001.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating than 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability, as there was no evidence of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, or intervertebral disc syndrome requiring physician-prescribed bed rest.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbosacral strain and IVDS.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for the remaining conditions, including hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues.

The Board granted service connection for rhinitis and dismissed the claims for kidney disease, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, and other conditions that were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), to include unspecified anxiety disorder, and assigned ratings of 40 percent, but no higher, for lumbar spine L5 spondylolysis without spondylolisthesis, and separate ratings of 10 percent each for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee strain with effusion, right knee strain with effusion and status post anterior tibial tubercle avulsion fracture, left knee lateral instability, and right knee lateral instability.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy from July 6, 2022. Service connection was denied for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board remands the claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected cervical strain and right ankle strain to afford the Veteran an orthopedic examination.

The Board remands the case for additional development to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy, hiatal hernia with GERD, status post bilateral inguinal hernia repair, bilateral hearing loss, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, a cervical spine disability, and a lumbar spine disability as there was no evidence of an in-service disease or injury, and the post-service medical records did not show that these conditions were related to his service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral leg skin condition, left hand skin condition, bilateral eye disability, degenerative disc disease of the back and thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral foot condition. The claims for diabetes mellitus type II, heart condition, kidney stone urinary condition, stroke, and peripheral neuropathies were remanded.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's low back disorder, effective March 31, 2019.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate.

The Board remands the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted a 50% rating for lumbosacral strain, a separate 10% rating for left knee instability, and a 30% rating for tension headaches. The other claims were denied.