Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine, thoracic and lumbar spine, migraine headaches associated with TBI, and C-section scar disabilities have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a 50% rating for migraines associated with TBI, but the C-section scar remains at noncompensable.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claims of service connection for bladder condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's right knee disability and skin condition are denied as there is no current diagnosis or history of these conditions.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, depression, joint disease of the left knee, and obstructive lung disease remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and low back disability for further processing under the legacy appeal system.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a temporary total evaluation are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, additional private medical records, and a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected right posterior thigh disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the period of July 21, 2016, to June 28, 2017, and after May 22, 2023, for mechanical low back pain with degenerative changes in the lumbar spine. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn all appealed issues from the legacy appeal system, and they are now dismissed.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted, with an effective date from June 11, 2014.,Service connection is established for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and inextricably intertwined with other claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability is denied. The Board finds that the evidence of record does not support a finding of limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side, which would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck conditions are remanded as there were insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected left shoulder condition.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, and left knee disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the left knee rating issues.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition (claimed as an upper back condition) is denied because there is no current evidence of a disability and the Board finds that any such disability, if present, did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Service connection for sleep apnea, to include narcolepsy, is granted as it is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by active military service. The Veteran's current sleep apnea was permanently aggravated by the pain from his service-connected back, shoulder, and knees conditions, and the medications used to treat those conditions.,Service connection for COPD is granted as it is proximately due to or the result of the service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine and hemorrhoid disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The claims are now pending on their merits.,Service connection for a chronic sinus disability is denied as there is no probative medical evidence indicating the Veteran has a current sinus disability that was incurred in service.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for lumbar spine disability and remanded it. The initial ratings for bilateral hammertoe remain denied, as does the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities as secondary to service-connected plantar fasciitis due to insufficient clarity in the addendum opinions regarding aggravation.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent from February 3, 2022 onward. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU prior to February 3, 2022 are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for back condition, dizziness, headaches, and hemorrhoids are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA is required to assist the Veteran in obtaining his military personnel records and medical records to substantiate his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The effective date of the award is March 22, 2018.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no earlier effective date sought or indicated by the Veteran.