Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right foot degenerative arthritis with acquired pes cavus and plantar fasciitis, and left foot degenerative arthritis with acquired pes cavus and plantar fasciitis are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's bilateral feet disabilities due to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since March 16, 2019.

The Veteran's initial ratings for a back disability and right knee limitation of flexion are denied as the evidence does not support higher ratings based on the current range of motion findings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates of July 16, 2012, but not earlier, for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded his claims for increased ratings of his left and right shoulder disabilities. The Veteran does not have a service-connected condition that requires a presumption-based rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, right shoulder, left shoulder, and neck conditions due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions. The Veteran contends his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of low back disability, right leg disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a maximum of 30 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's IBS with GERD is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, and migraine disorders. The claims will be reviewed with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a back condition due to incomplete records and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service injury. The Veteran is also asked to provide his complete Navy Reserve service personnel and treatment records, including from when he was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Grand Canyon in 1980.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain, as secondary to lumbosacral strain, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his in-service problems.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating. The TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (zero percent) due to the presence of a nonservice-connected right ear with Level I hearing acuity.,There is no evidence of current right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the lumbar spine, left shoulder disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since April 27, 2023. Effective as of that date, he is granted a TDIU and SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for bipolar II disorder with rapid cycling and tinnitus have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.