Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar osteoarthritis, service connection for hypertension, service connection for a psychiatric disability, and service connection for headaches due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine is granted. The claims for service connection for Left ear hearing loss and Right ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various musculoskeletal conditions, including PTSD, lower back condition, right and left knee conditions, left leg pain, and left ankle condition are remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The effective date claim for PTSD is also remanded as it may be addressed in conjunction with other issues.

Your claim for service connection for a low back disability has been granted, and you are now receiving a 50% rating effective April 21, 2022. The appeal is dismissed as the issue has been fully resolved.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to his active service and resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected insomnia, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, and thoracolumbar strain disabilities. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and strain, as well as femoral nerve radiculopathy, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, obturator nerve radiculopathy, external cutaneous nerve of the thigh radiculopathy, and ilio-inguinal nerve radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to inadequate examinations that did not account for flare-ups. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, migraine headaches, left shoulder disability, back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury. The appeal is also remanded for VA examinations.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the service-connected cervical spine disability from January 24, 2008 as it did not manifest in unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The Veteran is presumed to have a mid/low back disability, including scoliosis, which may be related to his military service. His PTSD, asthma, and OSA conditions also require further evaluation.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and other conditions were denied in a final November 2005 rating decision. The claims were reopened based on new and material evidence submitted after March 31, 2015, but the effective date remains unchanged as it is not earlier than March 31, 2015.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent from February 5, 2014, to December 17, 2017. The rating for the same condition is increased to 40 percent from December 18, 2017, to September 5, 2019. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another person was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for VA examinations.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a certificate of eligibility in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment due to permanent loss of use of his lower extremities from service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of various disabilities, including right and left ankle degenerative joint disease, elbow degenerative joint disease, shoulder degenerative joint disease, lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, cervical spine degenerative changes, upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral calcaneal spurs. The effective dates for these disabilities were set at February 6, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right tibial stress fracture and lumbar disc disease with low back pain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The claim for a right knee/leg disorder was denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence, while the claim for a low back disorder was also denied but readjudicated as granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with stimulant use disorder, cocaine, in sustained remission is rated at 50 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,There is no current right ankle disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports the claim and entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is warranted.