Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were found to not meet the criteria for increased ratings, with the most severe forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being limited to 40 degrees and that of the cervical spine limited to 20 degrees.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, skin condition, low back disability, and left hip disability due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled examinations. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Board will consider all evidence received since the May 2020 statement of the case.

Service connection for PTSD and a back disability is granted, while service connection for right wrist strain, impetigo, and headaches is denied.,An initial 70 percent disability rating for the service-connected mental disorder (PTSD) is granted from September 30, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since December 22, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and incomplete records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine and sciatic nerve radiculopathy conditions are being remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs condition is also being remanded for additional development.,Service connection for an eye condition to include glaucoma is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and remanded the remaining issues on appeal, including a TDIU determination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disability and left leg numbness, as well as his TDIU claim due to new evidence being associated with the case file.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically concerning additional functional loss during flare-ups prior to March 25, 2022.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS is rated at 20 percent, effective June 9, 2023. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy remain denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for lumbosacral strain with DDD and IVDS (lumbar spine disability) is denied. An initial evaluation of 10 percent, but no higher, for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted beginning April 13, 2019. Throughout the appeal period, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Board has denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain prior to October 5, 2019 and granted a 20 percent rating from that date. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee conditions have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining a complete copy of Ms. H.'s treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU, increased ratings for lumbar stenosis and arachnoiditis are being remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA and VRE.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stenosis (lower back disability) has been denied. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder (including insomnia and sleep apnea), a cervical spine disability, and a respiratory disability have been remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss disability, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension. The Board dismissed these appeals as the Veteran requested their withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing due to their inability to result in loss of use of his lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, back disorder, neck disorder, headaches, eye disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of OSA.