Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation from May 5, 2019.

The claims for service connection are remanded to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the July 2020 rating decision on appeal.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and a 30 percent rating for sinusitis effective from July 29, 2021. The claims for increased ratings prior to that date were denied.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder pain and dysfunction, as well as increased ratings for low back, left knee, and right knee pain and dysfunction based on the evidence of record.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for tension headaches and a 40 percent disability rating from October 21, 2021 for the lumbar spine disability. The lumbar spine disability ratings prior to that date were denied.

The Board remands the matter for development before proceeding to adjudication, including associating VA and VA-authorized treatment records with the claims file and obtaining a new medical opinion as to the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back condition.

The appeal for service connection for fibromyalgia was dismissed, and the claim for degenerative disc/joint disease of the lumbar spine was granted.

The Board denied service connection for a dental disorder and bilateral ear disorder, while remanding claims for service connection for low back, neck, right finger, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for the Veteran's back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient information regarding the baseline severity of his conditions when discounting the beneficial effects of medication.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral hand disorders to obtain adequate medical opinions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU, granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and granted 20 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain from September 1, 1995, and a 40 percent rating from January 10, 2024. The Veteran's residuals of excision of the left femoral nerve were rated at 20 percent, but hemorrhoids were denied a compensable rating.

The Board remands the claims for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as they require further evidentiary development.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder to ensure compliance with its previous remand instructions, including obtaining a medical examination and an addendum opinion.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for both the thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral strain, with degenerative disc disease L4-L5 and L5-S1.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including headaches, shoulder and knee conditions, pelvic pain, uterus issues, and a low back disability, to ensure adequate medical examinations are conducted.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder strain and low back strain, finding the evidence was evenly balanced as to whether these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.