Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right hip, left hip, bilateral foot, and sleep disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with spondylosis is granted a 40 percent rating, and his right and left lower extremity radiculopathies are denied ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a left foot disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after active duty service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to military service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder and low back disability were granted initial ratings of 10%, 40% prior to May 18, 2010, respectively. Service connection for TDIU was also granted. The left ear hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the June 2021 VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 1, 2010. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted for this period.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic low back disorder and a bilateral knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected neck disability, low back disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease (IVDS), sciatica (right and left legs), and a scar on her right lumbar region, preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU for the periods specified.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability was remanded. The rating for the condition has been increased to 40 percent effective January 12, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims for anemia, migraines/headaches, and PCOS are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, a right lower extremity disability, and a skin condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's OSA began during active service and the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome was denied, and the Board found that there is no medical or lay evidence documenting symptoms approximating unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The issue of a separate evaluation for bowel incontinence secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain disability was remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain, bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and hypertension. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to have their onset in service.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its remand directives and thus requires a new VA examination for the Veteran's low back disorder claim. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further adjudication.

The Veteran's back disability and radiculopathy were granted initial ratings, with the right lower extremity radiculopathy receiving a higher rating than the left.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, sciatic nerve disability, pleurisy, tuberculosis, and back disability. The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to depressive disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the knees, ankles, hips, and fingers, Hepatitis C, or a heart disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.