Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee or back disability, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 7, 2021 for the service-connected conditions of degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and acne due to insufficient evidence in the record. The left knee and stomach ulcers claims are denied as there is no objective medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine and related bilateral upper extremity disabilities were granted service connection effective May 6, 2020. The Board found the evidence established that the conditions predated this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain are found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injury, leading to the grant of service connection.

The Board has found duty to assist errors in the claims for service connection of psychiatric disability, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity sciatica, and left lower extremity sciatica. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance effective December 19, 2017.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. His GERD is also granted with an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbosacral strain as there are insufficient nexus opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, plantar fascitis, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, chronic bronchitis, left knee strain, right knee strain, lumbosacral strain, pes planus, or leg length discrepancy.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain and lumbosacral strain are not service-connected, but his allergic rhinitis is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right hip disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected.,An initial non-compensable rating for allergic rhinitis remains unchanged.,An initial non-compensable rating for sinusitis remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and an increased rating of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is effective January 5, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for neck, back, left elbow, right elbow, left hand, right hand, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities are denied. Headaches claim is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including other specified depressive disorder, right and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, right hip strain, and tinnitus, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment. The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 20, 2019 for the award of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was dismissed. His claims for increased ratings for low back disability and sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were also denied.

The Veteran's TBI and migraine headaches are granted as service-connected. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further review.