Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, but remanded several other claims related to the low back and various peripheral nerves.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities to correct duty to assist errors related to the Veteran's reported toxic exposure at Fort McClellan.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, a thoracolumbar spine disorder, erectile dysfunction, and a left knee disorder. The Veteran was granted an effective date of September 6, 2018, but not earlier, for the assignment of a rating of 100 percent for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability based on new and relevant evidence that raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claim.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain with calcific tendonitis, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The lower back disability claim was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition, left wrist condition, and right wrist condition due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's back disability, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on either incapacitating episodes or limitation of motion.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for a lower back scar and remanded the claim for an increased rating for a lower back disability due to an inadequate examination.

The Board granted service connection for cervicothoracic syndrome, low back syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining claims were remanded.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder disabilities based on the Veteran's consistent reports of symptoms beginning in service. The right hip disability claim was remanded for further development.

The Board granted restoration of the 40% disability rating for back disability, an initial 50% rating for post-traumatic headaches, and a 10% rating for hypertension. The claims for increased ratings for other conditions were remanded.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for a left elbow disability and remanded several other claims, including those for allergic rhinitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, heart disease, low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for low back disability.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches, effective January 1, 2024, and denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and increased ratings for various conditions.

The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 40 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy and remanded the claims for higher ratings for post operative residuals, multiple dislocations of the right shoulder with degenerative arthritis, and degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Board granted a 70% rating for PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder, as well as service connection for OSA, IVDS, lumbosacral strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder rotator cuff tear, lumbar spondylosis with spinal stenosis, and right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings to allow VA to obtain additional evidence, including Social Security Administration records, private treatment records, and a medical opinion addressing the etiology of the claimed conditions.