Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain was denied as the effective date cannot be prior to November 5, 2020, due to the factual establishment of the criteria for a 20 percent rating on that date.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a back disability, initial increased ratings for left shoulder strain and left knee strain.

The Board has granted effective dates of December 17, 2020 for service connection and increased ratings in various cases. The claims were reopened on new evidence received after the final decisions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with IVDS was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, specifically forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is remanded due to inadequate examination.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lower back disability is remanded due to the inconsistency between the September 2022 and June 2014 VA examinations regarding IVDS status.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both remanded as no peripheral nerves examination has been conducted yet.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to March 14, 2017 on an extraschedular basis is remanded due to the lack of evidence showing her inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment before that date.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's low back condition, LLE nerve condition, and RLE nerve condition have been granted initial ratings of 40%, 20%, and 20% respectively, effective from March 7, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of recurrent lumbosacral spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 30, 2016, onward, and entitlement to TDIU is granted.

The Board denied service connection for low back pain due to the lack of competent and credible evidence of a current disability.,The Board also denied service connection for hearing loss, finding no causal relationship between the claimed disabilities and service.

The Veteran's PTSD, combined with other service-connected disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 25, 2018.,An effective date of January 25, 2018 is granted for the award of service connection for PTSD and a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychological disorder is granted. The claims for a lumbar back condition and a right knee condition are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's motion to revise the August 2013 rating decision that denied service connection for PTSD due to CUE was denied. Service connection for migraine headaches with a disability rating of 50 percent, but no higher, was granted. The issue of service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The claim for an acquired mental disorder, including bipolar disorder, is remanded as there was no readjudication after a November 2020 rating decision. The claim for lumbar spine disability (claimed as pain) is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat feet, and insomnia are granted. The Veteran's right knee disability and left knee disability each receive a rating of 10 percent. A higher rating is denied for the Veteran's insomnia since August 11, 2023, and his lumbar spine disability receives an increased rating to 20 percent.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error regarding the examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine condition and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service and remands the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for spinal stenosis of the lumbar region, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active duty or any other period of service.,VA medical records show complaints of knee pain but do not provide a diagnosis for the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for his residual scar of thoracolumbar spine was granted, with a final effective date set at the date of the July 2021 agency decision.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and the retrieval of clinical records.