Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating under DC 5243. The RO denied an increased rating greater than 60 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with neurological manifestations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disability due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent effective July 27, 2021. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development due to the submission of additional evidence not previously reviewed by the AOJ. The Veteran's increased rating claim for left knee disability, service connection claims for eye disability, joint pain, neck disability, headaches, and prostate cancer are all being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder, lumbar spine, and hearing loss have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since at least November 22, 2002. An effective date of November 22, 2002 for a TDIU is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability should be remanded due to new and material evidence having been received. The issue of increased rating for chronic allergic rhinitis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 50 percent for service-connected headaches, and 10 percent for vertigo have all been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea have all been denied.,The effective dates for the grants of service connection for right lower extremity sciatic radulopathy, femoral radulopathy, and sleep apnea have all been denied.,The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity sciatic radulopathy prior to May 27, 2021, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter has been remanded.,The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity femoral nerve radulopathy has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to August 12, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left shoulder strain, left knee disability, or lumbar spine condition at any time during the relevant period. Service connection was also denied for PTSD as it did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lower back condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disorder, finding that it is due to in-service injuries and continues today.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy (RLER) associated with the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective September 8, 2014. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylolisthesis, adjustment disorder, left knee strain, tinnitus, and right elbow trauma, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding the reduction of disability ratings for low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as they were not ripe for appeal after the proposed reductions were implemented in a subsequent rating decision.

The Veteran's low back disability is now rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition is now rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 26, 2000 for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his non-service-connected cataracts prevented him from securing or following such employment.

The Board has remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain with scoliosis and degenerative arthritis due to incomplete information from the VA examination.