Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the VA mental health examination was inadequate and there are additional service-connected disabilities that have not been considered.

The Board has granted effective dates of December 27, 2020 for service connection of bilateral tinnitus with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), lumbosacral strain, right knee iliotibial band syndrome, and left ankle tendinopathy.

The Veteran's mechanical low back strain and right shoulder arthralgia are not rated higher than the current 10 percent levels.,The initial ratings for right and left shin splints have been granted at 10 percent.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate loss of range of motion or symptoms to the degree required for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding effective dates and initial disability ratings for lumbar spine disability, right and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The reduction of the rating for a right knee disability (based on limitation of flexion) from 10 percent disabling to noncompensable effective October 27, 2021, was improper and restored.,Entitlement to increased ratings for various disabilities remains pending.

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 11, 2022 for service connection for tinnitus was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 11, 2022 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 11, 2022 for a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left hip condition, and right hip condition based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and symptoms that continued after service.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as secondary to her service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral spine strain from January 22, 2020, is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA definition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.,Claims for a back disability and right and left knee disabilities are also denied as there is insufficient evidence connecting these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors involving untranslated Spanish language treatment records. These records may be relevant to the claims of EED in this appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted as service-connected. The issues of increased ratings for the right elbow, back, left knee, and skin disabilities are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current low back disability and his service, as well as whether it is related to any other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee, thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to procedural error.

The Veteran's kidney cancer, colon removal, asthma, and low back condition claims are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicides, contaminated soil, and radiation. A VA examination is required to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure by the RO to reschedule VA examinations and provide appropriate assistance in developing his claim while he was on active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service injury while on active duty.