Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected foot and back disabilities, along with a psychiatric condition, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 30, 2023. The Board is remanding the case for consideration of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for a temporary total evaluation based on the need for convalescence was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, right shoulder condition, and gastrointestinal disability (GERD, gastroenteritis, gastritis) due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine spondylolysis, finding that these conditions were incurred in service and have been chronic since then.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy are both rated at 20 percent, as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's initial ratings for back and right elbow disabilities have been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in 2015 and 2019. The Board will consider new evidence from the VA examinations to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety and PTSD, was denied. Service connection was granted for lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy (secondary to cervical spine arthritis), right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain should be remanded due to a duty to assist error and insufficient evidence to make a determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that it is not related to his active military service and was not present within one year of separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral disorder and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to link these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reconsider the claim of service connection for a back disorder. The Veteran's diagnosed back disorder is related to his military service, but further examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include lower back disability, bilateral sciatica, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnosis and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for his low back disability has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, tinea cruris, a right thumb disability, and a back disability due to the lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no legal authority to adjudicate the merits of the claims at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition and bilateral lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee and foot conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 11, 2010 for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.