Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective October 23, 2013. The service connection for a back condition was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral eye disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a direct relationship between the claimed conditions and service, or any other compensable basis.,The effective date for service connection has been granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that these conditions are aggravated by her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is granted at a 40 percent rating effective June 17, 2014. The appeal for an initial rating prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and left ulnar neuropathy were evaluated, with the Board finding that further development was needed for the lumbar strain claim. The left ulnar neuropathy claim is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity to preclude substantially gainful employment. Additional VA examinations and medical opinions are needed to determine the impact of her service-connected conditions on her employability.

Service connection is granted for degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine with bilateral radiculopathy and headaches. Service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability are remanded.

The claims for service connection for a low back disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, esophageal disorder (GERD and hiatal hernia), and erectile dysfunction are all remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The claims for service connection for a low back disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, esophageal disorder (GERD and hiatal hernia), and erectile dysfunction are all remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at 10 percent since May 1, 2015. The RO has now restored the original ratings of 20 percent for these conditions.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was also rated at 10 percent effective December 7, 2021.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for service-connected right ear serous otitis media with hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, and thus remanded the cases of his right wrist condition, right knee condition, and lower back condition.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, but denied service connection for a low back condition and hypertension. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's back disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability to include degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The claims for initial ratings for left knee disability (meniscal impairment) and left hip disabilities were remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine condition was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating under the old criteria. The TDIU claim is also remanded as the Veteran has not met the schedular criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 20% disability evaluation for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis from June 6, 2014 to January 14, 2020. From January 14, 2020 onwards, the claim is denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's MDD was granted a rating of 70 percent from March 20, 2017 to October 1, 2019. The low back disability received a grant of increased rating to 70 percent.

A rating of 40 percent for a back disability is granted effective April 8, 2019.,Entitlement to ratings in excess of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy is denied.,TDIU is granted effective April 8, 2019. The issue of TDIU prior to this date remains remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a hypertension claim. The Veteran's migraine headaches, arm disability, and other disabilities are being reviewed again due to new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as hip condition), and a back disability as secondary to her service-connected shin splints.