Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

Service connection for L3-4 neural foraminal narrowing, L4-5 grade I spondylolisthesis with resultant central and neural foraminal narrowing is granted.,Service connection for bilateral lumbar radiculopathy is granted.,Service connection for tension headaches is granted.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is reopened, but the appeal remains pending as it was denied on the merits in October 1981.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain and PTSD, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 27, 2012. The Board granted TDIU based on the evidence showing his physical and mental limitations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder and right hip disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection for obesity has not been granted as it is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has remanded several issues including increased death pension benefit, service connection for right knee disability, service connection for lumbar spine disability, TDIU, and cause of the Veteran's death due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection and increase in rating are granted, but the issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and right knee disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military duties. The preponderance of the evidence does not support granting service connection for either condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an updated VA examination and compliance with DeLuca v. Brown and Mitchell v. Shinseki requirements.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, cervical radiculopathy, and mood disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional records from SSA and NARA need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, effectively precluded substantially gainful employment from October 16, 2001 to August 31, 2003. From September 1, 2003 to February 5, 2013, the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and erectile dysfunction. Effective dates have been assigned for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.,The Board is also remanding the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder other than OSA, including COPD, due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.,The Board is remanding the issue of service connection for a skin disability due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.,The Board is also remanding the issues of service connection for sleep disorder and anxiety disorder both related to PTSD due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.,The Board is further remanding the issue of rating greater than 10 percent for GERD due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.

The Board has denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a headache disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, along with associated radiculopathies, have been granted increased ratings.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for torqued sacrum associated with osteoarthritis of lumbar spine and hammertoes. The effective date claim for major depressive disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for lower back and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the Veteran’s disability picture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened, but the claim remains denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted initial ratings of 20 percent each.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the original service connection decisions for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and headache disabilities. The appeal is denied as there was no evidence to support these conditions being related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his low back disability is dismissed. The claims for service connection of left and right hip disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his low back disability has been denied. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral radiculopathy and psychiatric disability, as well as TDIU due to the complexity of these issues.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition characterized as degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and heart block are remanded.