Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 29, 2013 for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than June 8, 2017 for the awards of an 80 percent rating for narcolepsy with cataplexy and sleep paralysis; a 20 percent rating for benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, and hypotonic bladder; and a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 8, 2017 for the award of TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for neck, TBI, and upper extremity radiculopathy issues as they were withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection was granted for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder disorder, and lower extremity radiculopathies secondary to service-connected arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of back, neck, and bilateral shoulder disorders are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or within the presumptive period.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, combined with other service-connected disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 28, 2015. Therefore, the claim for SMC based on housebound status is granted as of that date.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to March 25, 2019 for TDIU was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that her service-connected disabilities prevented her from obtaining and maintaining employment prior to March 25, 2019.,The Veteran's appeal for past-due benefits by the grants of basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) and TDIU effective March 25, 2019 was remanded. The Board noted that there was a discrepancy in the amount of past-due benefits awarded and ordered a complete audit/accounting.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied as not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service.,Service connection for an eye condition due to trauma, asthma, lumbar strain, and right hip pain were remanded due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity (femoral nerve), as these issues are currently pending in the legacy system.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision-making process and requires further development for claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, neck, and lower back disabilities, finding that these conditions are more likely than not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of consideration of the combat presumption and the need for a VA examination regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates of July 7, 2017, for the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal for an earlier effective date of July 7, 2017, for the 40% rating for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was granted with an effective date of July 7, 2017. Appeals for earlier effective dates of October 23, 2017, for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy were also dismissed.

Service connection is granted for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis with IVDS, but service connection for left total hip replacement is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder, elbow, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and the current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right wrist, cervical and lumbar spine disorders, and a service-connected mental disorder, precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The appeals for service connection of a left eye disorder, respiratory disorder (chest nodules), and left leg disorder have been dismissed. The appeals for stomach disability, lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2018. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings on several disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's severe degenerative disc disease with grade I spondylolisthesis of L5 is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current symptoms.