Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar strain, finding that the current diagnosis is not related to an in-service injury and that there is no evidence of a chronic condition present during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability began during his active-duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, upper extremity disability (chronic joint pain, DDD, DJD), lumbar spine disability (lumbosacral strain), plantar fasciitis, sciatica, and insomnia have not been found to be service-connected.,There is no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed conditions during or recent to the pendency of his claims.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective January 21, 2020. The Board denied an earlier effective date.,The Veteran was granted eligibility for DEA benefits effective January 21, 2020. The Board denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disabilities is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected conditions, requires a TDIU from November 1, 2019. The Board has remanded the issue due to conflicting evidence regarding her ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain, degenerative disc disease and stenosis, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back condition is related to his service-connected left knee disability and remands for further development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities prior to April 11, 2022 are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve is denied. A 20 percent rating, but no higher, is granted for radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve as of May 17, 2021.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy remain at 40% and 20%, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lower back disability is dismissed.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the increased 40 percent rating for lower back disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the initial 20 percent rating for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is granted, with the effective date set at July 31, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of erectile dysfunction is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for degenerative joint disease and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with Tarlov's cyst, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to inadequate prior examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right shoulder conditions, eye condition, throat condition, neck disability, low back disability, lower extremity disabilities, right-hand condition with numbness, migraines, and thyroid disease/cancer. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link to service.,The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied as there is no persuasive medical evidence linking the conditions to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of January 4, 2021, for a 40 percent evaluation for intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral spine. The evidence did not show any formal or informal claim prior to January 4, 2021, and there was no factually ascertainable worsening within the one-year look-back period.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for anxiety, bipolar disorder with depression, schizoaffective disorder, and degenerative disc disease are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether the appellant's back disability had its onset during her period of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and right hip conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hip condition, sleep apnea, and back condition due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of these conditions.