Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on housebound status are granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for higher evaluations for his service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities has been denied. The highest possible rating of 20 percent for the cervical spine was granted effective January 6, 2021.,For the period prior to January 6, 2021, the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as it did not result in forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less. For the period beginning January 6, 2021, the disability was rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or incident that could be linked to her current disability.,The Board also remanded several issues related to heart conditions and associated symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain. The primary issue is whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) due to the in-service motor vehicle accident, but with an earlier effective date denied.,Service connection is also granted for a lumbar spine condition due to the in-service motor vehicle accident, but with an earlier effective date denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues related to his bilateral hip disability, hypertension, and lumbar spine disability. The effective date of a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability is set at May 3, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates have been denied. The current disability rating of 40 percent for the back disability is maintained.,Higher ratings for left leg radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy with restless leg syndrome are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a separate rating of 10 percent for a painful right-hand scar from February 1, 2011, to his death in November 2021. Other issues were remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability due to the absence of a current disability as defined by VA regulation. The remaining issues are being remanded for additional development and readjudication.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records, specifically hospital treatment records from Karshi-Khanabad Hospital in Uzbekistan. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease prior to December 19, 2019 was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease from December 19, 2019 was also denied due to lack of evidence showing it met the criteria for a higher rating.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) was not granted an increased rating as there was no evidence that it manifested more than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's back condition, right hip tendonitis, and right hip iliopsoas tendonitis due to outstanding VA treatment records and private or federal treatment records not yet associated with the claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition and associated radiculopathies, finding that the onset of these conditions coincided with his active-duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that these conditions are not secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes cavus.

The Veteran's back disorder is currently rated at 40% effective October 16, 2020. Prior to this date, the rating was 20%. The Board found that his disability did not warrant a higher rating prior to October 16, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis from January 12, 2023 is dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of heart disability, major depressive disorder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The remaining issues have been remanded.

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

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the cases of lumbar spine disability and bilateral tinea pedis/tinea unguium.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his left knee, right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and other conditions.,The Board has directed that new medical opinions be obtained to address the severity of the Veteran's disabilities since their initial award in 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, temporary total ratings due to convalescence for right and left foot bunions surgeries. The appeals are remanded due to incomplete records and internal inconsistencies in medical opinions.