Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and right shoulder strain, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and tinnitus are both granted. The Board found that there is a link between the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current conditions, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The claims are being remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions based on inaccurate factual premises. Additional evidence is needed from VA treatment records related to the Veteran's surgeries and complaints of pain.

The Board has granted service connection for back disorder, hemorrhoids, and tinnitus. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal by the appellant's authorized representative prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back disability, finding that new and relevant evidence supports the claim. The Veteran's current condition is linked to his conceded injury in service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 11, 2020, for a 50 percent evaluation of PTSD with TBI is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation for a neck scar disability from November 15, 2011, is denied.,The Veteran's initial claim for an effective date prior to November 15, 2011, for a neck disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for RUE radiculopathy prior to June 11, 2020, is dismissed as the AOJ granted a full grant of benefits on this issue.,The Veteran's claim for a 20 percent evaluation for a lumbar spine disability from November 15, 2011, through June 11, 2020, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 19, 2017, for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted. The Board finds that the RO's decision was based on newly added official service department records and resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine due to a lack of consideration of all relevant evidence and an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of access to certain medical records stored in Vista Imaging or similar repositories. The AOJ is instructed to obtain and associate with the claims file complete updated clinical records, including those from VA and non-VA treatment providers.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,For the initial compensable ratings of right and left fifth finger closed fractures, the case is being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for back, left knee, and right knee conditions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) is remanded due to a misapplication of the presumption of soundness.

The Veteran's service connection claim for DMII was granted effective April 11, 2020. The initial evaluations for lumbosacral strain and left knee pain were denied. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy disabilities are rated at 20 percent each since April 24, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and foot disorder due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The issues are related to direct service connection.

The appeal for TDIU from August 1, 2019 is dismissed. The appeal for SMC at the housebound rate from August 2, 2019 to October 7, 2021 is denied.

The Veteran's back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have not improved under the conditions of daily life, and his knee conditions are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD or degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and obesity. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his back disability and TDIU are remanded due to procedural errors. The earlier effective dates for DEA eligibility and TDIU are also remanded.