Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including traumatic arthritis and thoracolumbar spine status post fusion, have resulted in the effective loss of use of both feet. The Board has granted eligibility for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to these conditions. Additionally, the Veteran is also receiving SMC at the housebound rate based on his 100% disability rating from traumatic arthritis, thoracolumbar spine status post fusion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied prior to June 16, 2022. A separate TDIU claim on an extraschedular basis is also denied prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address secondary service connection.

The appeal of the right wrist disorder claim is dismissed. The claims for cervical and/or lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus Type II (DM II), respiratory/pulmonary disorder other than asthma and allergic rhinitis, cholecystectomy disease, and body joint pain are all granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and foot conditions have been remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability, with obesity serving as an intermediate step in the development of this condition.

The Veteran's right knee medial meniscus tear is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating. The claims for service connection of a left wrist condition and low back condition are remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and thoracolumbar strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) and femoral nerve was granted effective February 11, 2019.,A subsequent increased rating for the back disability was also granted effective August 6, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for low back disorder has been dismissed.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea and GERD.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the Veteran's duplicate submission of a VA Form 10182 was improperly placed on the Direct Review docket, and the earlier pending appeal is addressed in a separate decision.

The appeal is dismissed as there is no justiciable case or controversy with respect to the instant appeal pertaining to claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's disability rating for IVDS with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine DDD, spondylosis, and stenosis is granted at a 40 percent effective from August 8, 2018. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability is caused by her service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as a back disorder. The Veteran's knee strains are not considered related to his service.,Service connection was also denied for a left leg disorder other than the knee strain, and a right leg disorder other than the knee strain and sciatica.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis of the spine were granted ratings, with the radiculopathy receiving a 20% rating effective February 19, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and PTSD due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations related to his back condition, and VA must attempt to verify an in-service stressor involving Manuel Pardo.

The Board has determined that there were errors in the duty to assist prior to the rating decisions and has remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's right hip disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and left ankle disabilities.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.