Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of September 1, 2010 for the Veteran's service connection for spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, and a fracture of the middle/long finger of the left hand.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to decide the service connection claims for right knee disability and thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's appeal of OSA remains remanded.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is being remanded due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding an inadequate VA examination.

The appeals for service connection and rating have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims at his hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including rescheduling of VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hip disability.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the January 2023 rating decision, as this decision was an initial decision with respect to a new claim for increased ratings submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with paravertebral muscle spasm is rated at 40 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's back disability was reduced from a 20 percent rating to a 10 percent rating, effective December 20, 2021. The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent rating and also granted an earlier effective date of December 30, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not include anatomical loss or use of both hands or burn injuries.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and reduction of disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal from appeal.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, ocular migraines, neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, and Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee. The Board found no evidence that these conditions were related to active service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of current diagnosis. The claims for left hip strain, right hip strain, and lumbosacral strain are remanded as the Veteran's current diagnoses have not been addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability did not cause his outer garments to wear out or tear, thus he is denied clothing allowances for 2021 and 2022.

The Veteran's cervicogenic headaches are granted service connection. The claims for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain are remanded due to new evidence not previously considered. The claims for dizziness and fatigue require additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine/lumbosacral strain was denied as a matter of law due to her failure to report for a necessary VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lower back conditions due to a lack of VA examinations addressing their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Coats' disease of the left eye is granted due to aggravation during service. Service connection for joint pain (other than a lumbar spine condition) and lumbar spine condition are remanded as additional evidence may be needed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection, but her cervical spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar Schmorl's nodes and pancreatitis as secondary to service-connected major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The Veteran is also entitled to a rating of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar Schmorl's nodes from May 26, 2022.,The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 23, 2022, for the award of service connection for lumbar Schmorl's nodes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disability to his time in active service.