Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, increased ratings, and service connection, with some issues being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for right knee pain, back condition, right wrist condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board remands the claims for higher ratings and a compensable evaluation due to inadequate examinations that do not comply with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board remands the claims for higher disability ratings for multiple service-connected conditions, including lumbosacral strain and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, PTSD with TBI, chronic lumbar sprain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and scars.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic left knee strain. The claims for service connection for back disability, bilateral sciatica, left ankle disability, left foot disability, and psychiatric disability were remanded.

The Board granted restoration of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the original decisions to sever these conditions were improper.

The appeal for service connection and effective date issues was dismissed as the claims were addressed by a separate decision.

The Board granted an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD and service connection for tinnitus, while denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Other claims were remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with arthritis and service connection for a right elbow disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for spinal stenosis lumbar spine, as there was no evidence of a pending claim or intent to file a claim prior to February 10, 2024.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability effective September 14, 2020, and denied increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The claims for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and hypothyroidism, both due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act. Other claims were either dismissed or remanded for further evidence.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder, but remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain and mild gastritis with reflux and grade A esophagitis.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, periodic leg movement disorder, and a higher rating for thoracolumbar spondylosis.

The Board granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and recurrent left biceps tendon rupture residuals, assigned a 10 percent rating for inguinal hernia residuals, and remanded several other claims.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for chronic lumbosacral strain and service connection for cervical, left ankle, right ankle, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions to ensure compliance with due process.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, and related left and right lower extremity neurological disabilities based on evidence establishing the Veteran's current conditions are linked to an injury sustained during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in 1978.

The Board remands the matter for further development and an adequate medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's back condition, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected left thigh disabilities.