Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back conditions and his service. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's lay statements about in-service events, injuries, and symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for his back disability is being reviewed.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of her ratings for tension headaches and lumbar strain from June 1, 2022 because she filed her appeal prematurely.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy had their onset during his active-duty service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted a disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for hypertension and TDIU are also granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, and thoracolumbar spine condition are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine discogenic disease status post surgery, spondylosis, and facet arthropathy as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The SMC claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various joint and musculoskeletal disorders, including bilateral hip and knee joint disorder, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral leg disorder, low back disorder, and neck disorder. The appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for tinnitus.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right and left knee disorders have been granted ratings and effective dates as specified. TDIU was granted from January 23, 2020 onwards.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors present at the time of the decision on review, including obtaining VA community care records, a medical opinion regarding direct service connection, and a medical opinion addressing potential links between the Veteran's back disorder and toxic exposures during service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's low back disability, right and left knee disabilities, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. As a result, the claims of entitlement to service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's lumbar disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and an alcohol use disorder) are all remanded for further development.,No specific rating has been assigned as the claims are being returned to the AOJ for additional consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including missing VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is claimed as secondary to a back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right shoulder, left-hand, and tinnitus disabilities. The claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The claims for neck disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection for lumbar strain, migraines, and dermatitis. However, the claim of entitlement to service connection for a stomach condition is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back disability and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for service connection for a back disability, including lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease, is denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during active service or are related to in-service events.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted service connection with a 20% disability rating. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disability were denied.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 22, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.,An earlier effective date of October 10, 2019, for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied.