Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the failure of the AOJ to properly develop and adjudicate his PTSD claim. The Board also found that while he has service-connected disabilities, they do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU under 38C.F.R. §4.16(a).

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20% since December 27, 2006 and 40% from March 14, 2013. The left wrist disability is rated at 20%, 40%, and 40% respectively for the same periods. A TDIU rating is granted effective December 27, 2006. SMC based on loss of use of the left hand is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, compartment syndrome of the right and left lower extremities, and hypertension with headaches have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been denied as it is not causally or etiologically related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been denied as it was not incurred in service.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for patella tendonitis of the right knee and lumbosacral strain have been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving a 10% rating for patella tendonitis from May 12, 2012 to October 2, 2019, and a 30% rating thereafter. For lumbosacral strain, the Veteran is in receipt of a 20% initial disability rating since May 31, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, as it was not adequately addressed in previous VA examinations and there are outstanding records from the Veteran's first period of active duty. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether any of the diagnosed low back disorders were incurred or aggravated during periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected as it was present during service and continues to this day.,Service connection for a back disability is granted, with the condition being related to in-service injuries. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the current back disability is related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between her current condition and active duty service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection due to a service-connected lumbago disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA regulations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, rated at 40 percent since November 2007, has been granted an increased rating to 40 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher, prior to February 12, 2020. A 40 percent rating is also assigned for the thoracolumbar spine beginning February 12, 2020. The Veteran’s left and right ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and right shoulder osteoarthritis as the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service back pain and symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective December 18, 2020. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date remains denied.,For the period from December 18, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve are each rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the increase in disability had not occurred within one year before his June 2, 2018 claim.,Effective dates earlier than June 2, 2018, for the awards of service connection or increased ratings are not warranted due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability during the relevant period.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Board remanded the issues of service connection for right knee and back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's hammer toes are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected plantar fasciitis.,Service connection for sacrum disability, including coccyx pain and coccygeus-sacral muscle spasm, is granted. The Veteran also received a 40% rating for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine after July 6, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and its relationship to service-connected left leg disabilities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his low back disability, which he claims began during service or as a result of his service-connected left leg and foot disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU prior to April 13, 2018 due to incomplete examination findings. The case is being returned for further development.