Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's increased ratings for piriformis syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity associated with piriformis syndrome are granted for the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of his lumbosacral strain, as it was found in a previous decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a recurrent sleep disability to include obstructive sleep apnea, an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected right rotator cuff strain is granted a 30 percent disability rating, effective from June 4, 2020.

The Veteran's prostate disability and kidney disability are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, cervical spine (claimed as neck pain) is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's bilateral nuclear sclerosis cataract and posterior vitreous detachment (claimed as vision problems), left shoulder strain (claimed as shoulder pain), sleep condition including insomnia and sleep disturbance, and erectile dysfunction are all denied without a clear service connection being established.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 20% to 10% for chronic lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease and spondylosis was not proper, and has reinstated the original 20% rating effective December 21, 2023.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased evaluation for his right ankle fracture and service connection for degenerative disc disease have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and neck disorders due to a lack of medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability and lumbar disability, secondary to the service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's conditions are related to an in-service assault.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy are each granted initial ratings of at least 20 percent. The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis is granted an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and potential errors in duty to assist. The Veteran's conditions include back disability, left leg nerve condition, hypertensive heart disease, and hypertension.

The Veteran's right wrist degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. The issue of TDIU and initial disability ratings for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. The issues regarding the initial ratings for radiculopathy in both lower extremities remain under remand.

The Veteran's back condition and PTSD are not related to his service from November 7, 2005, to September 22, 2015.,His period of honorable service ended with a dishonorable discharge due to misconduct.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 40% rating from April 29, 2016 to May 19, 2017. The right lower extremity nerve disability is denied any increase in rating during the same period.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 28, 2016, for the award of service connection for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, right knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss and GERD have been dismissed.,Effective January 28, 2016, an initial rating of 30 percent for GERD has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for a back brace in 2018 is denied because the lumbar corset, which was prescribed for his service-connected low back disability, did not cause wear and tear to his clothing. The earlier issued back brace from 2015 was also not worn 'because of a service-connected disability' during 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the Veteran's unavailability for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the issue of rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to incomplete VA treatment records from the Bay Pines VA Health Care System.