Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for low back and cervical spine disorders, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service participation in an ejection seat exercise during pilot training.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar status post left knee surgery is denied.,Service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include depression, is denied.,The claim for service connection for a trachea disorder secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for the left knee disabilities are remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for his lumbar spine disability prior to March 26, 2019 is remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for radiculopathy of both lower extremities are remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for increased urinary frequency as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 25, 2003 for a 40 percent rating for lumbar strain with scoliosis and myofascial pain. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent symptoms since 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The appeal is remanded for further examinations and rating determinations on other issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, and hypothyroidism were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to August 28, 2019. The Veteran needs an addendum opinion from a VA clinician to assess his range of motion and severity of symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disability and low back condition, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within a presumptive period, and that any current disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied service connection for pancreatitis and denied increased ratings for lumbar degenerative arthritis, but granted a TDIU. The Veteran's current back disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to February 4, 2021, and 40 percent thereafter, for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as her claim for TDIU due to issues related to neurological impairments associated with her back disability. The remand requires an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's urinary incontinence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed back disability, as well as whether it is secondary to service-connected disabilities of the lower extremities. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, back disability, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, and PTSD, render him unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the medical evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's reoccurring right ingrown toenail and denied service connection for his thoracic condition (claimed as low back pain).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a right knee disorder, a cervical spine disorder, and a thoracolumbar spine disorder due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, low back condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims were previously denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and residuals of heat exhaustion, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service experiences.

The Veteran's appeal to increase the rating for his back condition has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that the Appellant-widow did not file a claim prior to October 14, 2015, and thus the earliest effective date allowed is October 14, 2015.