Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative changes and lumbar intervertebral disc disorder, both of which are related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (sleep apnea, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and LLE radiculopathy) do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status, finding that he did not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to November 29, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities and lack of substantial confinement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy, which is related to the service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability, back disability, right ankle disability, and arthritis due to inadequate examination reports that did not consider the Veteran’s lay statements about his symptoms during service.

The Veteran's right humerus disability was noted at entrance to service and preexisted service. The Board denied service connection for this condition.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's pilonidal cyst, as it is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD and Degenerative Disease of the Lumbar Spine have been granted initial ratings, but no higher. The Veteran is not entitled to increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition, finding that any current back disability was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not presumed to be service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 3, 2017 and from August 2, 2017 due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that remand is necessary to obtain new medical opinions regarding the service connection of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, as they are related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower left extremity have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbar spine disability is denied as the evidence does not show that he has had forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for lumbosacral strain as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder and denied service connection for a back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to service, particularly his ACDUTRA period in May 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and left knee disorder due to lack of medical evidence addressing the etiology of his current symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination due to inadequate previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.