Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right hip/thigh, and right knee disabilities due to chronic residuals of multiple orthopedic injuries sustained during military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.,RLE and LLE sciatic nerve radiculopathy are both rated at 20 percent. The Board has remanded these issues for further review.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current medical evidence.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board notes that unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine has not been established.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective February 29, 2020. The lumbar spine post-laminectomy syndrome and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy are both denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and scar status post pilonidal cyst have been granted service connection, while the pes planus has been denied. The initial compensable rating for PFB and a 10 percent disability rating for the pilonidal cyst scar have been granted.

The Veteran's left hip disability characterized by pain, including sclerotic changes, is granted as secondary to her service-connected right knee and thoracolumbar spine disabilities. The restoration of a 10 percent rating for the status post reconstruction ACL deficient right knee is also granted.

The Veteran's nosebleeds, sinusitis, tinea corporis, and lower back condition are remanded for further examination and opinion. The AOJ will consider all relevant evidence of record during the readjudication process.

An effective date prior to December 29, 2016, for the award of a 10% rating for left great toe fracture residuals is denied.,A rating in excess of 10% for left great toe fracture residuals is denied.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is granted.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 23, 2019 for a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a finding of entitlement to TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The claims for service connection for a sleep disability and a right knee disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for dorsalgia condition, lower back condition, bilateral heel spurs, plantar fasciitis condition, and bilateral lower extremity pain. The AOJ is instructed to consider these issues in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities due to a lack of adequate VA medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current disabilities. The Veteran is already service connected for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, which he attributes as the cause of his current radicular symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to errors in the decision-making process, including failing to consider certain evidence and providing inadequate examinations. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on verifying the Veteran's reported stressor and obtaining an updated VA examination.

The claims of service connection for back, skin, and bilateral hearing loss disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, lordotic thoracolumbar spine with osteoarthritis and scoliosis, and sinusitis to allow for a new VA examination. The examiner will be asked to determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service or due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on his service-connected conditions and for an effective date have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine is denied. The current rating of 10 percent remains unchanged.

The claims for service connection have been granted, and the Veteran's disabilities are being remanded due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were restored to their previous ratings of 30%, 10%, and 10% respectively, effective March 3, 2020.