Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including congenital transitional vertebra anatomy at L5/S1, is granted as service-connected.,Right and left lower extremity sciatica are also granted as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease of L3-L4 with associated spinal stenosis, patellofemoral degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and patellofemoral degenerative joint disease of the left knee (with painful motion) have been denied. The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The claim will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left upper extremity neuropathy due to the appellant's failure to report for scheduled examinations without good cause.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his back disability and TDIU. The case will be remanded for additional VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including urinary incontinence and lumbar spine disability, resulted in a TDIU effective April 9, 2009. The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 9, 2009 for the award of DEA benefits based on the TDIU. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was restored to a 40 percent rating from May 28, 2022.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spondylosis and left hip arthritis due to their potential relationship with a service-connected right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and erectile dysfunction, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or other criteria.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain was granted at 20 percent, effective January 7, 2019. Service connection for congestive heart failure is remanded and will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated, but the VA examiner found that the current ratings do not reflect the severity of his conditions. The Board has decided to remand these issues for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and arthropathy at L5-S1, is granted.,Right leg radiculopathy secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability is also granted.,Left leg disorder (including left knee arthritis and radiculopathy) and gallbladder removal are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, IBS, and dizziness were denied in February 1984 due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Attempts to reopen the claims in June 2018 resulted in a grant of service connection but with an effective date of June 29, 2018.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for right leg nerve damage and lumbar disc disease due to the legacy appeal stream being established by VBA.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's back, psychiatric disabilities, hip, shoulder, knee, and other conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, coronary artery disease (claimed as a heart condition), diabetes mellitus, type II, kidney disability, cervical spine disability, back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, and right knee disability. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis rating was reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent, but the reduction was improper due to procedural errors. The Board has restored the original 40 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for headaches. The issue of service connection for low back pain including residuals of cysts is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and lower back condition are both granted service connection. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise for both conditions, with the Veteran's credible statements and medical opinions supporting his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims.