Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's disability ratings for PTSD and lumbosacral strain were restored to their previous levels.,The Veteran's entitlement to SMC was restored based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were previously decided in a September 2021 rating decision, appealed to the Board in November 2021, and adjudicated by the Board in an October 29, 2024, decision. The appeal of these issues is dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability (degenerative arthritis of the spine), right knee condition, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and left shoulder disability are denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is granted a 40% rating, but no higher. The ratings for left hip strain (limitation of flexion) and right hip strain (limitation of extension) are denied. Right lateral collateral ligament sprain remains remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right eye disability, low back pain, and related conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. He is also in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran seeks service connection for these conditions, which are related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back condition, finding that it had its onset during active duty and is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to IVDS with lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to IVDS with lumbosacral strain, and left hip impingement syndrome. Service connection for right thumb digital nerve lesion is also granted. The Veteran's tinnitus has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left or right lower extremity nerve damage disabilities, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and right knee condition due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted with a rating of 10%.,Effective February 28, 2013, the Veteran's left knee and right knee disabilities are each granted with a rating of 10%. The effective date for erectile dysfunction is also set at this time.,The Veteran's spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis secondary to right hip bursitis with limitation of adduction is granted. An initial 70% rating was assigned for the service-connected psychiatric disorder (PTSD).,SMC(k) and SMC(s)(1) are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 21, 2003, for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease/spondylosis due to clear and unmistakable error in the July 2009 rating decision was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 21, 2016, for service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) with stent placement and valvular heart disease was denied.,Initial compensable ratings for peripheral vascular disease (PVD), right lower extremity (RLE), and left lower extremity (LLE), were denied.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy, have been granted service connection.,A TDIU is also remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran is also seeking increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disability, as well as the TDIU rating. The new evidence suggests that these conditions may be related to service, but further medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for cervical spine disability with DDD and bulging disc were denied. The claim was also denied for a higher rating from April 14, 2020.,The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for ankylosis or unfavorable ankylosis of the cervical spine, thus denying her request for increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if he has any of these conditions, and whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has denied increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, but has remanded the claim for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with strain due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder condition and lumbosacral condition. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that there were no unadjudicated applications and that a CUE in the August 2013 rating decision did not warrant an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with arthritis and cervical strain with arthritis were denied effective November 14, 2012. The Board found that the earliest permissible effective date was November 14, 2012.