Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for low back strain, finding no evidence of an increase in disability within one year prior to May 30, 2017.

The claim for Vitamin D deficiency has been dismissed. The low back disability is granted and rated at 10%. Other issues are remanded.,Neck, rheumatoid arthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including dysthymic disorder and insomnia), allergic rhinitis, loss of sense of smell, and sinusitis for increased rating are all remanded.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and joint disease, as well as his radiculopathy (sciatic) of the left lower extremity prior to August 21, 2018, are granted with specific ratings.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and polymyositis and inflammatory myopathy have been granted service connection. The sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and headache disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to limited range of motion. The Veteran's back surgical scars are noncompensable as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is associated with his back disability and is inextricably intertwined, so it must be addressed along with the back disability issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, migraines, PTSD, and TBI-related conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment for the appeal period from May 14, 2018, to September 7, 2021, and from September 18, 2021, to September 7, 2022. Effective September 7, 2021, he is in receipt of a 100% combined schedular disability rating.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 19, 2018 for a 20% rating for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The Board also grants entitlement to TDIU and DEA from June 18, 2018.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent effective January 21, 2020. Ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to November 2, 2017 are denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and PTSD is granted. Claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, chest pains, and a skin condition are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that her current condition is etiologically related to her active duty service and granting presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's back disability, hepatitis C, and brain disability (manifested by cognitive issues) are all remanded for further development.,Service connection is also being remanded for a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal for left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, and lumbosacral strain has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,The Veteran's appeal for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and an acquired psychiatric disorder has also been remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it had its onset during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding PTSD and the lower back disability, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities have been rated, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.,For her lumbosacral strain prior to June 12, 2023, the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees or combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for histoplasmosis, PTSD and depressive disorder are dismissed.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus and erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric condition. Service connection is denied for the lumbar spine disorder and pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear evidence regarding his liver disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, type II diabetes, and back disability. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records, particularly private primary care records from 2015 onwards.