Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities but remanded the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep disturbances.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of lower back and right shoulder conditions. The Board found that the examiner's opinions were inadequate because they did not address the veteran's lay statements about injuries during service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS was restored to 20 percent, making the issue moot.

The VA dismissed the claim for service connection of psychosis or mental illness (claimed as sleep disturbances) for treatment eligibility. The claims for asthma and bronchitis were denied, while the claims for psychiatric disability, back disability, and neck disability were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for special monthly compensation and increased ratings for several conditions due to missing medical records.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of a back condition was remanded, while the request for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

Service connection for all claimed conditions except glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency was denied. Service connection for glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency is remanded.

The veteran's service connection for lumbosacral strain and related radiculopathies in both lower extremities was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing specific criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits. The increase in disability occurred before the one-year period prior to the claim date.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with status post microdiscectomy for herniated disc condition. The Veteran's claim is based on secondary service connection to a right knee strain disability.

The Board denied the veteran's request to restore higher ratings for degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy, finding that the reductions were proper based on medical evidence.

The veteran's service connection for trunk and right underarm scars, and left lower leg scar is granted with an effective date of March 31, 2020. Other claims, including those for head, face, or neck scars, and higher ratings for various conditions, are denied.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for PTSD was denied. Service connection for tinnitus was granted, but decisions on lumbosacral strain and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded.

The veteran's request for a higher disability rating for tinnitus was denied. All other claims for service connection were remanded for further review.

The appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability is remanded due to errors in the duty to assist. The VA will re-evaluate the claim with proper medical opinions.

The veteran's service connection for several conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, left ankle disability, left foot disability, posttraumatic headaches, TBI, and dental issues, was granted. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and higher ratings for other conditions were denied.

The veteran's PTSD with TBI was rated at 100% from August 1, 2022 to March 19, 2023. The veteran also qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria.

The veteran's service connection for headache disability is granted. An earlier effective date of September 28, 2021, for a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine IVDS is also granted. All other issues are denied.

The appeal for service connection of a low back condition is remanded. The Board needs more information to decide if the condition is related to military service.