Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA examinations and Social Security Administration records.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted effective from April 29, 2013. The issues of service connection for low back disability and pes planus are reopened.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since March 7, 2012. The left knee degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent from March 7, 2012 to August 16, 2020 and at 40 percent after that date.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since March 7, 2012. The left knee degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent from March 7, 2012 to August 16, 2020 and at 40 percent after that date.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis is rated at a maximum of 20 percent.,Throughout the period prior to August 15, 2013, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.,Financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied due to the Veteran's ability to drive and ambulate despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the current PTSD rating of 70 percent adequately reflects his impairment, while the lumbar strain rating of 10 percent is also appropriate given his symptoms. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection is being remanded due to the inability of VA to conduct examinations as requested. The claims for vasomotor rhinitis and a back condition are both being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, bilateral hip conditions, and left knee conditions due to his service-connected right knee condition. The reasons include insufficient medical opinions based on lack of contemporaneous records and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding overcompensating.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, lumbar spine, and left leg disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the identification of outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back condition is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine is granted at a 40 percent rating prior to May 8, 2015. Other conditions are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder, finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from May 1, 2010 to present.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating greater than 20 percent for lumbosacral degenerative joint disease as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's back strain with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine is granted a 20 percent disability rating from July 23, 2018 to July 22, 2019. On and after July 23, 2019, he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy associated with his service-connected back strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right shoulder disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied. The effective date for service connection cannot be earlier than November 3, 2017 due to a prior final denial in July 1995. An initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent is also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet are related to his military service.,The Veteran’s right ankle disability, diagnosed as posterior tibial tendonitis and osteoarthritis, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of sleep apnea and initial increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, osteoarthritis of the right ankle, and GERD have been dismissed as his appeal was withdrawn by a valid written request.