Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain was granted a 40% evaluation as of March 1, 2017. The initial evaluations for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted.

The claim for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD, is denied. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating greater than 40 percent for a back disability on an extraschedular basis prior to April 21, 2003 and TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 21, 2003. The decision is pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinion and lack of substantial compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's low back injury is being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since July 10, 2003. An earlier effective date of July 10, 2003 is granted for the total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board has remanded his claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral hip disability due to a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis and DDD have been dismissed. The appeal for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied, while tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for Parkinson’s disease and right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are pending and need further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a TBI and earlier effective dates for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and cervical strain with degenerative disc disease are also being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied for evaluations in excess of the assigned ratings from March 1, 2013 to February 19, 2020 and from February 19, 2020.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was granted a 20 percent evaluation from December 26, 2018 to February 19, 2020 and denied for evaluations in excess of the assigned rating from February 19, 2020.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted a 20 percent evaluation from December 26, 2018 to February 19, 2020 and denied for evaluations in excess of the assigned rating from February 19, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine condition and a left shoulder condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to her service.,There is no credible evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for fibromyalgia, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and nerve damage disability.,New evidence was received to reopen the claims of service connection for left knee disability and back disability. The claims are currently pending.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability effective December 9, 2013. Prior to this date, the Veteran was rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disability, finding no current diagnosis of such condition and concluding that his reported pain does not rise to the level of impairment of earning capacity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is not related to his in-service injury and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to his service-connected left knee and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis was granted at 20 percent effective August 24, 2015. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity received a separate initial rating of 20 percent effective August 1, 2016.

The Board has ordered another examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, address whether any current back disability pre-existed service and was not aggravated by active service beyond normal progression, and address whether any current back disability had its onset during service, within one year after service, or is otherwise the result of a disease or injury in service.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective December 13, 2016. The rating for his right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's income during the appeal period, specifically prior to March 7, 2017. The AOJ is instructed to obtain the Veteran's SSA earnings statements and request specific income information for his employment periods from April 17, 2011, forward.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyositis of the lumbar muscles and remanded other issues related to service connection. The Veteran's claim for separate evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and DJD of the knees and hands are being remanded due to unclear evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lower back disability, including whether it was aggravated by service.