Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for a low back condition and denied initial compensable ratings for migraine, maxillary sinusitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease in the thoracolumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The remaining claims were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and right shoulder disability, finding that new evidence supported the claims.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with scoliosis and right hip strain, but remanded the claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and entitlement to TDIU due to the Veteran missing scheduled examinations.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from September 23, 2015 to March 1, 2017.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted a temporary total evaluation for the service-connected lumbar spine disability requiring convalescence from July 20, 2018, to August 31, 2018. The Board also granted initial ratings of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities involving the sciatic nerve until certain dates, denied higher ratings, and granted a 50 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability starting September 1, 2018.

The Board remands the matters for proper notification and scheduling of VA examinations to determine the current severity of the service-connected lumbar strain and the etiology of the Veteran's thyroid disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine herniated disc and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, not including PTSD, due to a lack of credible evidence linking the Veteran's diagnosed conditions to his active service. The claim for a low back disability was remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and an initial rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, while denying service connection for right foot pain. Other claims were remanded.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the intermediate rate between the (m) and (n) rates based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a retrospective medical opinion addressing functional loss of the lumbar spine prior to October 2020.

The Board remands the claims for a new VA examination to properly assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and to determine whether he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to obesity caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and a low back disability, but denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, left foot disorder (flatfoot and plantar fasciitis), right foot disorder (flatfoot and plantar fasciitis), left ankle disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board granted service connection for atrial fibrillation and heart palpitations, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), migraines headaches, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. Service connection for right hand degenerative arthritis and sinusitis was denied.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraines and denied increased ratings for dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. The remaining claims for service connection were remanded.