Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for back disability and sciatica of the right lower extremity, but denied it for sciatica of the left lower extremity.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability and a left ankle disability due to inadequate medical opinions that failed to address the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board granted a separate 20 percent disability rating for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU), but denied an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's back disability.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the lumbar spine disorder and to address the need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to July 11, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to April 16, 2015, for a compensable rating for a service-connected low back strain.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability (facet arthrosis), and left knee disability (osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease) based on evidence showing chronic conditions in service with continuity of symptoms since separation.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings to ensure that all necessary development is completed.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis prior to August 10, 2020, but denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent from that date.

The Board denied the claims for entitlement to increased ratings for a back condition and bilateral lower extremity sciatic and femoral neuropathy.

The Board remands the case for additional development and consideration of various issues, including increased rating claims for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee disability, right hip disability, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 10, 2022, as well as service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and she has met the threshold minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU. Additionally, she is entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and effective dates, except for granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and restored the 40 percent disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), while denying a higher rating for migraine headaches and remanding the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for a right thumb scar status post laceration and readjudicated the claims of entitlement to service connection for various disorders, finding new and relevant evidence in some cases.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and left shoulder impingement syndrome were granted increased ratings, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted as secondary to the impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The appeal regarding the proposed reduction of the rating for lumbar strain has been dismissed as it does not address a specific entitlement.

The Board remands the claim for a housebound and aid and attendance examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain with spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased rating due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.