Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board remanded several claims for further development and readjudication, including service connection for OSA and hypertension, as well as increased ratings for right wrist sprain, MDD, tension headaches, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back disorder.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with left side radiculopathy, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder and unspecified depressive disorder effective March 3, 2021, and a 30 percent rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease from January 26, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for a thoracic spine disability but denied it for a lumbar spine disability, claimed as displacement of the lumbar disc with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for radicular pain paresthesia of the right and left lower extremities, an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle disability, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability, and a compensable disability rating for the fifth finger of the right hand. The claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and migraines were remanded.

The Board granted a higher rating of 30 percent for right shoulder arthritis effective February 1, 2024, and denied ratings higher than 20 percent for left shoulder arthritis, higher than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, higher than 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion, higher than 10 percent for right knee instability, and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, interstitial lung disease, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis. The claims for service connection were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a right hip sprain and initial disability ratings of 40 percent for right shoulder degenerative joint disease, 40 percent for right elbow epicondylitis, 20 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease, and 20 percent for right ankle degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent disability rating for right knee subluxation effective July 27, 2023, and TDIU. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the same condition was denied.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board granted special monthly compensation at the rate authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) and remanded claims for SMC based on housebound status and an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS and bilateral foot conditions, prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment from August 31, 2010, to January 30, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder arthritis, left shoulder tendinitis, right shoulder arthritis, right shoulder contusion, neck disability (cervical spine stenosis, degenerative changes, degenerative disc disease and spondylosis), right upper extremity tremors, and left upper extremity tremors as they were not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from February 13, 2014, to July 2, 2023, due to the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative disk disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy from July 31, 2013, to March 9, 2020. A TDIU was also granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and GERD disabilities and remanded claims for service connection of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, residuals of hernia repair, double vision, deviated septum, temporomandibular pain syndrome (TPS), and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for the low back disorder, diagnosed degenerative disc disease with spinal fusion, and denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for left hip strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a total disability based on individual unemployability, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, SMC based on housebound status, and service connection for vertigo.

The Board granted service connection for right knee and leg, left knee and leg, and low back disabilities based on the evidence showing a direct relationship to the Veteran's military service.