Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for back, undescended testicles, and kidney disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and low back disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder. The appeals are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for sinusitis, back disability (including scoliosis with sciatica), upper respiratory infection, bilateral knee degenerative disc disease, hiatal hernia, and folliculitis. The remand requests additional examinations and reviews of records.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for multi-level degenerative joint disease (DJD) with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine is denied. An initial 20 percent evaluation, but no higher, is granted for DJD of the right ankle. The Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the right wrist is denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and PTSD have been denied. The current ratings are 10 percent for the period prior to September 29, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient examination reports and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lumbosacral strain, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss, are being evaluated for their impact on his ability to work.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disabilities, as well as bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and lower extremity neuropathy. The evidence did not show any in-service injuries or diseases related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are found to have begun in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cervical spine and lumbar myositis with a bulging disc are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations in compliance with Correia v. McDonald (2016).

The Veteran's hypertension and lumbosacral strain with arthritis were remanded for further evaluation. The SMC issue was also remanded due to the inextricability of the issues.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and an effective date prior to April 4, 2014, for a 70% rating of PTSD. The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and facet arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis, left ankle sprain, residuals of a broken nose, tuberculosis (TB), and psoriasis as they are not related to active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for bladder cancer due to occupational exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for right knee, right leg, lumbar spine, and right eye disabilities due to new evidence indicating their severity may have changed since the last VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and initial PTSD rating are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability and for TDIU. The remand is due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of proper notice regarding TDIU, and need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since at least February 8, 2007. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of February 8, 2007 for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claim of service connection for a low back condition secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus (secondary to PTSD), hypertension (secondary to PTSD), asthma, and a right foot disability were denied. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left ankle fracture was granted with a 10% rating effective July 31, 2008. Service connection for PTSD was granted with a 50% rating effective March 26, 2014. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 26, 2014 was also granted.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 26, 2013. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his symptoms and findings during this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and their impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim is also deferred until further development.