Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate examination, requiring an additional evaluation.

The Board has granted restoration of the Veteran's ratings for lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy to their effective dates.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, low back pain, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity numbness and tingling is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective April 26, 2016. His cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, also effective April 26, 2016. The Veteran's substance abuse disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric and orthopedic disorders.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for increased evaluations of her lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a left foot disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD and spondylosis have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent since March 29, 2019.,The Veteran's cervical DDD and spondylosis have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent from August 20, 2021.

The Veteran was granted TDIU and SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is at least as likely as not related to back pain during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40% since December 20, 2022. The claim for increased rating prior to that date was denied and the TDIU claim from August 22, 2019 to December 20, 2022 was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, updated VA treatment records, and an addendum opinion regarding his ability to work.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including bilateral foot, wrist, ankle, knee, groin injury with residual erectile dysfunction, TBI with headaches, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability, have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disability. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left index finger disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's back disability is granted at a 40 percent rating, effective April 23, 2015 to May 31, 2015 and from March 29, 2018 to April 30, 2018. The ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve are denied prior to March 19, 2013 and from March 19, 2013 forward.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for unspecified depressive disorder, left knee disability (claimed as a left leg condition), and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbar radiculopathy have been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS, in excess of 10 percent from September 4, 2009, and in excess of 20 percent from June 30, 2022, is denied. Separate ratings of 10 percent are granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) for the initial rating period from September 4, 2009 to November 10, 2021.