Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her right and left knee disabilities, back disability, and feet disability are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant treatment records from private providers and provide the Veteran with a retrospective medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for a sebaceous cyst, neck is dismissed as the proper claims processing rules have not been followed.,New and relevant evidence has been received to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right forearm condition. The Board will now readjudicate this issue.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for a 20% rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted from January 12, 2019. The earlier effective date for a 60% rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease is also granted from October 1, 2019.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.,The Veteran's left inguinal hernia repair does not more nearly approximate a post-operative recurrent inguinal hernia, readily reducible and well supported by a truss or belt, warranting a compensable rating.,The Veteran's posterior trunk scar, post lumbar surgery, and anterior trunk scar, status post hernia repair do not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating under DC 7802 due to their size and nature.,No effective date provided as this is a denial of claims.

The Board dismissed all six service connection claims for PTSD, back disability, left eye disability, left hand disability, left hip disability, and right knee disability due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeal.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative joint disease and stenosis is currently rated at 20 percent from September 10, 2020. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of left elbow, back, and right knee disabilities due to a duty to assist error. Additional development is needed to obtain opinions from an examiner regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and his military service, as well as its relation to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 24, 2020. As of April 24, 2020, the criteria for a TDIU were met.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is aggravated by his service-connected right knee and left ankle injuries.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar sprain residuals is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability may be related to service, specifically an injury during ACDUTRA in July 1992. However, further examination is needed to determine if this condition can be linked to current symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and right leg sciatica as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the aforementioned issues, leading to their dismissal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the March 2022 VA examination report. The examiner did not provide sufficient detail regarding the severity and functional impact of the disability.

The Veteran's knee and back braces caused wear or tear to his clothing, leading the Board to grant annual clothing allowances for calendar year 2024.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is remanded for an adequate medical opinion to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected thoracic spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a skin condition, GERD, OSA, and PVD of the lower extremities and shoulders. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing these conditions had their onset during active service or were related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, rhinitis, and sinusitis must be remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records and the need for further examination.