Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 7, 2020, and 20 percent therefrom for service-connected lumbar spine disability is dismissed due to a claims processing defect. The issue remains pending under VA's legacy appeals system.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperhidrosis, hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, bilateral knee disability (patellofemoral pain syndrome), and back disability (muscle spasms of thoracolumbar spine) as there was no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition for hyperhidrosis or hemorrhoids, and his erectile dysfunction claim lacked a diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and has remanded the issue of service connection for his cervical spine disability due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's lay statements indicate she experienced back pain during active duty, which may be related to her current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of STRs. The AOJ is required to request these records from the Department of Defense/DPRIS and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran incurred an additional disability as a result of his May 2018 VA cervical fusion surgery. The case will be returned for further evaluation and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand all four issues related to service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims will be reconsidered with additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 23, 2018, and for TDIU and DEA were denied. The rating reductions for LUE and RLE radiculopathy were granted.

The appeal for service connection for heart disability is dismissed as the Veteran's claim was granted in a prior rating decision. The lumbar spine disability appeal is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and back disabilities, finding that there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's hypertension, lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and vertebral fracture, explosive diarrhea, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and hydrocele repair during right spermatocele resection were all granted service connection. However, the initial rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and vertebral fracture was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to procedural defects.,These issues include claims for various conditions such as arthritis, anxiety and depression, and tumors.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral tinnitus, right hip condition, and low back condition have been granted. The claim for respiratory condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence, and the claim for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to the low back disability). The decision is based on the Veteran's lay testimony regarding the onset of his symptoms during active service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for IVDS with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, unfavorable ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

The Veteran's 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with left piriformis syndrome (lumbar spine disability) is restored effective April 23, 2019. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating for the lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, back, bilateral hip, and neck disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is no current diagnosis or functional impairment documented for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has dismissed all pending claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeals for increased disability ratings in multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as back injury) due to a lack of an adequate rationale in the November 2020 VA medical opinion and a potential duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the case to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extra-schedular TDIU from April 1, 2007, to December 1, 2016. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment during this period.