Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disorder, including anterior spondylolisthesis with foraminal encroachment, L5-S1, is granted as service connected. The left ankle condition is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and spinal stenosis are rated at 40 percent prior to October 1, 2013. The rating for radiculopathy of the lower extremities is granted at a separate 10 percent from February 22, 2013. Right ankle arthritis and scars are each rated at 20 percent beginning April 17, 2023. Hypertension is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a new examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a left lower extremity nerve disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected DDD of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran was also granted TDIU on a schedular basis for the time period prior to May 3, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability prior to October 20, 2016 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis (or functional ankylosis), or incapacitating episodes of disc disease requiring at least four weeks of physician-prescribed bed rest per year.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with myelopathy was dismissed. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is granted, but the earlier effective date claim is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left and right lower extremity sciatica, and a psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment from December 10, 2010, to December 20, 2020. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records, including missing service treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide releases for private medical records and complete VA Forms 21-4142.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and obstructive sleep apnea due to additional development being necessary.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar back disability, finding that the Veteran's condition did not manifest during active service or until many years after service and is not shown to be causally related to an in-service event.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on four service-connected conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the current issues on the appeal, including a VA examination for TBI and contemporaneous examinations for other disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, left hip disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (claimed as a left leg disability), left knee disability, and disabilities manifested by left heel pain and numbness of the left foot toe due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's condition did not manifest as chronic in service or within a presumptive period and was not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for above the right knee amputation and increased ratings for his back disability are denied.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective as of November 13, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, bilateral hands, and left shoulder due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current conditions and military service. The case will be returned for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right big toe pain and bilateral hip pain are dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, Lyme disease residuals with right elbow arthralgia, limitation of flexion prior to November 4, 2021, Lyme disease residuals with left elbow arthralgia, pronation/supination, and left knee degenerative joint disease with residual Lyme disease arthralgia (limitation of flexion).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, OSA, and low back disability. Additional records development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.