Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted a TDIU from August 23, 2016. However, the matter of entitlement to a TDIU prior to that date is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for determining medical nexus, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his cervical spine and low back disabilities. The Board also notes that additional private treatment records from the Veteran's chiropractor at Paulding Spinal Clinic may be needed to support the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, an extraschedular rating for her right heel disability, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for her chronic rhinosinusitis.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives and requires another remand for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that an increase in the severity of his service-connected disabilities occurred within a year prior to December 17, 2015. The effective date for the grant of TDIU remains December 17, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 18, 2019, is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted from March 16, 2010.,VA has also granted DEA benefits effective from March 16, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition and left knee condition have been granted. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded, and the claim for service connection for acid reflux has also been remanded.,Service connection is established for a lower back condition and a left knee condition. However, additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and acid reflux are related to her service.

The Veteran's claims for joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, migrainous vertigo, and ulcerative proctitis have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for low back, neck, bilateral knee, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, migraines, and ulcerative proctitis.,The Veteran's elbow and wrist conditions, neuropathy, and dizziness/vertigo have not been evaluated yet. Further examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar degenerative disc syndrome were denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent prior to October 6, 2016, and a rating greater than 20 percent from that date.

The Veteran's GERD was granted an increased evaluation to 30 percent.,Other service connection issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his military service, and thus service connection for a back disability is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 50 percent effective November 1, 2015. The lumbar strain rating remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and granted an initial 10 percent rating for right pelvis bone graft donor site arthralgia. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, left knee RPPS, and right knee RPPS are being remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain is also being remanded.

Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.,Prior to August 10, 2022, a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with lumbago is denied due to lack of evidence showing more than limited range of motion and muscle spasm.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examinations and requests for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and hypertension were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation, and the VA examiner did not find that the current conditions are due to military service.