Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective December 4, 2019. Service connection for PTSD and hypertension were also granted, with hypertension being granted due to the PACT Act. The claims for sleep disability and bilateral hips/knees/arthritis are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than August 15, 2017, for a 20 percent rating for his lumbosacral spine disability is denied. The claim for a higher rating for the same condition is also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted as incurred in service. The back, hip, knee, hand, foot, lung, bowel, stomach, and prostate disabilities were denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and requests additional development of records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus type II, incontinence, left shoulder pain, and low back disability due to a lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was previously denied, but the VA granted it in February 2020 with an effective date of December 4, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for his back disability is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition and has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily the lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, IHD, and PTSD, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder is granted, and the issue is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has denied readjudication of the claim for erectile dysfunction due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service connected, with onset during active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck disorder, low back disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient etiology opinions.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from July 24, 2012 to November 17, 2019 due to her service-connected neurogenic bladder and lumbar spine disabilities. The claim for TDIU prior to July 24, 2012 and after November 18, 2019 was denied as she did not meet the schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is related to an injury he sustained during his military service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's glaucoma, cervical spine DDD, and chronic stomach condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural issues and requests for additional evidence.

The Veteran's initial rating for DDD of the cervical spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's insomnia disorder, right shoulder strain, and foot conditions were also denied their respective increased ratings.

The Board has again remanded the claims for left knee disability, eczema, low back/tailbone disability, and headaches due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their onset and relationship to service. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related or attributable to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including allergic rhinitis, right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc degeneration of the lumbar spine, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The remand includes obtaining missing service treatment records, VA treatment records, and a medical examination for the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete VA spine examinations. The Veteran's low back condition and TDIU claim are both being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and amputation of the right toes prevented him from securing or maintaining any substantial gainful employment during the period on appeal, June 22, 2009 to August 30, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU rating for this period.