Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine and sciatic nerve radiculopathy conditions are being remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs condition is also being remanded for additional development.,Service connection for an eye condition to include glaucoma is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and remanded the remaining issues on appeal, including a TDIU determination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disability and left leg numbness, as well as his TDIU claim due to new evidence being associated with the case file.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically concerning additional functional loss during flare-ups prior to March 25, 2022.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS is rated at 20 percent, effective June 9, 2023. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy remain denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for lumbosacral strain with DDD and IVDS (lumbar spine disability) is denied. An initial evaluation of 10 percent, but no higher, for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted beginning April 13, 2019. Throughout the appeal period, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Board has denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain prior to October 5, 2019 and granted a 20 percent rating from that date. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee conditions have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining a complete copy of Ms. H.'s treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU, increased ratings for lumbar stenosis and arachnoiditis are being remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA and VRE.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stenosis (lower back disability) has been denied. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder (including insomnia and sleep apnea), a cervical spine disability, and a respiratory disability have been remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss disability, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension. The Board dismissed these appeals as the Veteran requested their withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing due to their inability to result in loss of use of his lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, back disorder, neck disorder, headaches, eye disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of OSA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.,The VA has remanded the claims for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and evaluations in excess of 20 and 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar paravertebral myositis, disc disease, and spine spondylosis rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 28, 2018. The Board granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's back brace and crutches caused wear and tear to his shirts, leading to the grant of clothing allowances for these items in 2020.,The Veteran's skin condition required him to use hydrocortisone cream, which damaged his shirts. The Board denied a second allowance due to the maximum number already granted.

The Veteran's lumbar osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar strain. The right shoulder tendinitis and bursitis are denied due to lack of evidence linking it to the service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right foot condition, and a lumbar spine condition due to procedural errors and insufficient evidence in support of the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability was granted with an effective date of May 25, 2010. The award of service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (associated with a low back disability) was also granted with an effective date of January 31, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his low back disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for IBS and thoracolumbar strain, as well as the grants of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates assigned are June 18, 2018.,There is no evidence to support earlier effective dates for any of these claims.