Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with spondylosis and foraminal stenosis, as well as a separate 10 percent evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy from May 1, 2024. The claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was remanded.

The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent disability rating for right knee instability, effective March 11, 2024, and an earlier effective date of May 24, 2021, for a TDIU rating. SMC aid and attendance was also granted.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy based on impairment of the sciatic nerve, and an initial 20 percent rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy based on impairment of the femoral nerve, for the period prior to January 24, 2023. The Board denied a rating greater than 20 percent for these conditions from that date. Additionally, the Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, but denied a rating greater than 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as the evidence did not support a claim prior to August 27, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for a chronic right foot disability, a chronic lumbar spine disability, and a chronic right hip disability.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain, lumbar strain, left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, post traumatic residual pain dysfunction of the right wrist, right wrist surgical scars, bilateral tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The character of discharge was also found not to bar VA benefits.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, tension headaches, and a separate 10 percent rating for RIGHT knee instability, effective October 19, 2018. The increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, low back disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for back disability, neck disability, anemia, right shoulder impingement and degenerative arthritis, back scars, stenosis and facet joint hypertrophy of the lumbar spine and chronic thoracic myalgia, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and a 10 percent rating for GERD, effective May 19, 2024.

The Board dismissed the appeals for proposed rating reductions and denied higher ratings for leg compartment syndrome and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a low back disorder to schedule a VA examination to determine its likely etiology, including whether it is related to lifting heavy objects during service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of July 29, 2017, for the grants of service connection for lumbosacral strain of the thoracolumbar spine and related conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent evaluation of lumbar spine osteopenia, finding no evidence of an increase in disability within one year prior to March 22, 2021.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy as it has not manifested in moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied service connection for fatigue, bilateral hearing loss, low back, musculoskeletal shoulder, musculoskeletal knee, bilateral leg, and testicular conditions due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and remanded claims for an increased rating for lumbar spine disability and TDIU.

The Board denied readjudication of the claim for service connection for a right knee condition and remanded claims for service connection for cervical spine, left knee, and thoracolumbar spine conditions.