Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a TDIU due solely to a service-connected back disability and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s), as they are inextricably intertwined with the extraschedular TDIU claim.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and a back disability, resolving reasonable doubts in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, right knee disability (including degenerative arthritis), and obstructive sleep apnea as there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and right leg sciatica, finding that the Veteran's back disability caused his obesity, which in turn led to his back disability (via intermediate step), and that his back disability is also directly related to his hypertension. The right leg sciatica was found to be secondary to the back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 20, 2019, as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board remands the claims for further development as there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand directives.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis and a 20 percent evaluation for left ankle sprain, but remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to November 18, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for two hernia residual scars, an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for a lumbar disorder, and ratings in excess of 20, 30, and 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and a left upper extremity disability (ulnar nerve) respectively.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine disability, back disability, and upper extremity radiculopathy, due to inadequate development of the record.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1, right shoulder condition, right elbow conditions, left knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear, postmenopausal acne, and surgical scars of the lower back and right elbow. However, a 60 percent rating was granted for hypothyroidism prior to July 8, 2024, and TDIU from July 30, 2013.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various recurrent disabilities to allow for additional evidence review.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with bilateral sacroiliitis, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for degenerative changes, lumbar spine with spinal and neuroforaminal stenosis from April 5, 2011 to March 21, 2014, and July 1, 2014.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, lumbar DDD, lumbosacral strain, and lumbar IVDS, as well as an increased rating of 50 percent from December 29, 2006 for the right fourth metacarpal fracture.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a back condition due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing back condition was aggravated during his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for ED with low sperm count and service connection for a low back disability, to include mild degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for sinusitis but remanded the issues related to lumbosacral strain and leg radiculopathy.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection claims, as the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in disability or entitlement to benefits prior to August 26, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and denied an increased rating for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, but granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as a claim for service connection for cervical spine disability.