Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is at least as likely as not related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated, but the evidence does not support higher ratings.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her periods of active duty and training. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are related to his military service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection for a back disability was granted, and the reduction in his coronary artery disease rating from 60% to 10% was found to be improper.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions have been denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and leg disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical strain claim is denied as there is no diagnosed condition.,Prior to September 29, 2017, the Veteran’s radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent. Beginning September 29, 2017, it has been rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's hernia scar is currently rated at 10 percent and remanded for further evaluation.,Osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was previously rated at 10 percent prior to September 29, 2017. Beginning that date, it has been rated at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability due to inadequate VA examination and lack of private chiropractic records.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for a hearing or conference, and no specific service connection decisions have been made.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for DDD, lumbar spine was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 15, 2004 and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several conditions, including lumbar spine strain, traumatic brain injury, major depressive disorder with unspecified neurocognitive disorder, and left lumbar radiculopathy. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a higher rating of 60 percent for her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, but her right and left lower extremity radiculopathy remain noncompensable.,Her status post open fracture right distal tibia shaft is rated at 30 percent from April 4, 2012 onwards.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that his degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, lumbar disc herniation, and lumbosacral strain are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and eye disabilities due to insufficient evidence of record. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and affording the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted, and he is awarded service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The noninitial rating for his lumbar spine disability remains at 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the current condition is not related to service and did not manifest within one year of separation.