Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II claim was also denied because the evidence did not show that it required regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities).

The Board has decided to remand the claims for cervical spine degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, and right shoulder rotator cuff tear with glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint degenerative changes due to a lack of adequate VA opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the ratings for lumbosacral strain, right and left lower extremity femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy, and right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for ischemic cardiomyopathy was reopened and granted based on evidence showing a current disability, in-service injury, and a nexus between the two.,Service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability does not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for his thoracolumbar spine and left upper extremity radiculopathy, granted increased ratings for his right lower and left lower extremity radiculopathies, and granted TDIU based on his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. Basic eligibility to DEA and SMC at the housebound rate have also been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various shoulder and knee conditions due to a lack of VA examination, which is necessary to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a lower back condition due to incomplete service treatment records and duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's STRs from his period of ACDUTRA service appear incomplete, and further attempts should be made to obtain these records.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is presumptively related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart disability to include congestive heart failure have been granted. The rating assigned is 10 percent for hypertension on and prior to June 7, 2023.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the vision disability issue. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, left knee disability, erectile dysfunction (secondary), obstructive sleep apnea (secondary), fatigue disorder (Gulf War service), nasal condition, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal condition (due to Gulf War service), and headaches are all remanded due to the need for additional examinations or opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis (status-post rotator cuff repair), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or illness related to these conditions.,The March 2023 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis (status-post rotator cuff repair), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are not likely related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran meets the schedular percentage requirements for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral radiculopathy. The Board finds that the functional impairment resulting from these disabilities at least as likely as not prevents him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition. Service connection was granted for bilateral pes planus.,Service connection for a back condition was not established.

The Board has withdrawn the claim of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service connected, with the issue remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 29, 2016, for service connection of generalized anxiety disorder, tinnitus, back condition, and tension/migraine headaches due to a lack of evidence showing VA received her claim before that date.

The Board has added new evidence to the claims file and finds it relevant for remanding the case. The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability is being returned to the RO for further review.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for back disability has been granted. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and acquired pes cavus were granted a 50 percent rating effective April 28, 2017. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, sleep disability, vision loss, and right shoulder disability are all remanded.