Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted separate 10 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease with sacroiliitis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, neck, right leg disabilities and left thumb and index finger numbness. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen a claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The claims for shin splints, right ankle, left ankle, right wrist, left wrist, right shoulder, and low back disabilities have been reopened due to receipt of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, headache disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The remand is due to incomplete evidence from private medical centers and SSA records, as well as an inadequate VA examination regarding the Veteran's back disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected, with an effective date of March 21, 2017.,An earlier effective date of March 21, 2017 for the 40 percent rating assigned for lumbosacral strain and discogenic disease is granted.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diverticulosis) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a prostate disability (claimed as prostate cancer) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all remanded due to lack of evidence regarding their relationships with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for osteopenia is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, hypertension, and asbestosis due to new evidence received since the last final decision.

The Board has restored service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right sciatica, and left sciatica effective February 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine with degenerative disc disease and sleep apnea due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection need further evaluation, as well as a determination on whether his sleep apnea is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and extraschedular TDIU, finding insufficient evidence to determine if he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to August 16, 2013. From that date until March 22, 2017, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his kyphosis with lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine and cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability present during or within one year after active duty, and that current DJD is not otherwise causally related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a low back disability and a right knee disability, as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded again due to inadequate medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board has dismissed the claims for diabetes mellitus, a rating in excess of 30 percent for left eye condition, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder condition. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and the need for additional evidence, including treatment records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, PTSD, OSA, and erectile dysfunction are all granted. Service connection is established for PTSD based on in-service racial trauma and tension at Loring Air Force Base (AFB).

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is granted a 40% rating from February 25, 2009 to April 10, 2017. After that date, his disability remains at 40%. The claim for an increased rating beyond this period was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right knee arthritis, and right lower extremity sensory impairment render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back disability and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete development. The Veteran's low back disability may be related to his military service, but further examination is needed.