Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and spondylosis is rated at 20 percent, effective October 1, 2019. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was initially denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 18, 2019 but granted a disability rating of 20 percent beginning on that date.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to untimely notices of disagreement. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disability and an increased rating for major depressive disorder were both denied by the Board. The decision found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia.,Service connection was denied for a right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and issuing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot condition, lumbar spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of in-service aggravation or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were all denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD and radiculopathy were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 7, 2010.

The Veteran's lumbar myofascial syndrome was granted a disability rating of 20 percent prior to August 19, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for chest pain, low back condition, and left hand little finger condition due to inadequate consideration of relevant evidence in prior decisions.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete employment history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity in service and no showing of continuity after discharge. The Board also found that the current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his service-connected right knee and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease, generalized claimed as joint pain due to undiagnosed illness and other conditions. The appeal is based on previous decisions that have already considered these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis, sleep apnea, and a low back condition. The claims for right knee pain, left knee pain, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right shoulder condition, and right bicep condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, right knee, right ankle, and peripheral neuropathy prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 2, 2016, and in excess of 40 percent from December 2, 2016, for a lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its interdependence with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service connection for various conditions, including low back pain with arthritis, right and left knee chondromalacia patellofemoral (claimed as arthritis), obstructive sleep apnea, pitting edema of the lower extremities, esophagitis and hiatal hernia with varices and GERD and aspiration pneumonia, and TBI. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and migraines due to incomplete or inconsistent medical opinions in the record.