Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 21, 2021 for service connection of a low back disability was denied because there is no evidence that the Veteran filed such a claim before then.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical canal and foraminal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to an in-service neck strain. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied a rating for left ankle disability in excess of 10 percent and has remanded the claims for cervicothoracic spine pain, bilateral acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The remaining issues have been remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the lumbar spine condition, urinary frequency, and bilateral foot condition was dismissed as his February 2022 notice of disagreement did not express disagreement with a valid rating decision.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective September 1, 2018. The decision also remanded the issue of TDIU prior to September 1, 2018 for referral to the Director of Compensation Services for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis was denied. The case is remanded for further review of her low back disability and TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of lumbosacral strain, finding that there is no nexus between his in-service back injury and his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since February 2, 2019. Effective that date, he is granted TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is rated at 10 percent, as the evidence does not show marked limited motion of the ankle.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is currently rated at 20 percent due to incapacitating episodes having a total duration of less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation higher than 10 percent for various service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the knees and lumbar spine, left elbow bursitis, and rotator cuff tendonitis of the shoulder. The remand is due to inadequate examination reports that do not provide specific findings regarding range of motion loss due to pain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lower back condition and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his low back disability was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis, incapacitating episodes, or associated objective neurological abnormalities. The current 20% rating is maintained.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is dismissed as there was no justiciable case or controversy. The claim of service connection for gastritis is remanded due to a failure to satisfy the duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for right knee total replacement, migraine headaches, internal derangement of the right ankle, major depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis with IVDS and strain in the lumbar spine, sciatic radiculopathy in both lower extremities, left knee meniscectomy residuals, and left knee instability was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at June 14, 2014.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals of the issues related to hypertension, hysterectomy residuals, and a low back condition before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of July 22, 2020 for service connection for a low back disability is granted. The effective date cannot be earlier than this date as it was the date the Veteran submitted his completed Supplemental Claim Application.