Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his active duty service. The claim was granted for bilateral glaucoma.,Service connection for bilateral glaucoma was established as it is presumed due to an in-service eye injury.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective March 25, 2003. A separate rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted effective April 15, 2014.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals on multiple service connection and rating issues, including those related to lumbar spine disorder, bilateral pes planus, right hand CTS, left hand CTS, PTSD, cervical spine disorder, trouble breathing, sleep apnea, bilateral pulmonary embolisms, and insomnia disorder. The Board dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's left knee condition is granted service connection as it is related to his service-connected right hip disability.,Service connection for the Veteran's back condition and left hip condition are denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's medical expenses incurred at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on April 13, 2016 for his abdominal pain were granted as the delay in seeking immediate medical attention was considered hazardous to life or health due to his severe right flank and abdominal pain.

The Veteran's right hand carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 50 percent, effective January 8, 2019.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities are not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a claim prior to October 22, 2012, for PTSD, migraine condition, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, thoracolumbar spine condition, or cervical spine condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, as well as radiculopathy of both lower extremities. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and no effective date earlier than April 8, 2014, was assigned.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scoliosis, thoracolumbar spine was granted. The claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD), lumbar spine remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his lumbar spine, left hip arthritis, and left knee disabilities have been dismissed as he withdrew the issues with full understanding of the consequences.

The Veteran's melanoma is granted service connection. The claims for bronchitis, low back disability, and upper back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, contributed to his death from sepsis due to a decubitus ulcer. The Board found that these disabilities rendered him materially less capable of resisting the effects of other causes of death.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is at most 50 percent, which does not meet the threshold requirements for TDIU. The evidence of record indicates that the Veteran had the capability to obtain and maintain substantial gainful employment during the appeal period.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of her appeal regarding service connection for low back disability, and the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted with a 20% evaluation each. The issue of an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 8, 2011 for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied.,An effective date of December 8, 2011 but no earlier is granted for the grant of service connection for a back disability. The Veteran’s original claim for this condition was received on December 8, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and effective dates due to insufficient medical evidence in the record.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical strain, lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, and left knee disability. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's low back condition, specifically a lack of an adequate nexus opinion from a VA examiner.