Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 22, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both the right and left lower extremities.,New evidence received since the last decision supports the Veteran's claims, including his contention that his current conditions are related to an injury sustained during military service.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent since September 27, 2020. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 5242.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral wrist disabilities (right and left), and right ankle disability have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and other claims were generally granted, with some issues being denied or having their ratings adjusted. The decision covers various conditions including RLS, PTSD with TBI, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, herpes simplex virus, cervical spine DDD, tarsal tunnel syndrome, knee pain syndromes, and thumb sprain.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition and left hip pain, finding that these conditions are causally related to her in-service injuries.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period beginning May 1, 2020, as he has a combined disability rating of 100% due to service-connected disabilities and was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his current condition and service or within one year of separation.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine spondylolysis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's preexisting back conditions were found not to be aggravated by his military service.,Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's cervical spine condition as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or event that could have caused it.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran could perform activities of daily living with minor assistance or reminders from his spouse, and there is no evidence indicating he required regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes, heart disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence received. The claims for left shoulder, lumbar spine, right foot, and left foot disorders are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the effective loss or permanent loss of use of his right upper extremity and legs, which qualifies him for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure secondary to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and migraine headaches, to include as secondary to the back disability, have been granted due to new and relevant evidence. The cases are remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to her in-service injuries.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings from February 24, 2023. However, the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, thoracolumbar spine disability, right and left ankle disabilities, right and left elbow disabilities, right and left hip disabilities, right and left knee disabilities, and cervical spine disability are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis and foraminal stenosis, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment starting from September 19, 2020. The Board granted a TDIU rating effective as of that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss (BHL) has been dismissed as he did not submit a proper supplemental claim to reopen the previously denied claim.,An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's PTSD results in reduced reliability and productivity but does not manifest in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue where the AOJ did not accept the Appellant's timely VA Form 20-0996 Higher Level Review request for review of the June 2020 decision. The AOJ should now conduct a higher level review.