Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis prior to April 9, 2020, and from that date, but granted a separate noncompensable rating for ilioinguinal nerve neuralgia and a TDIU.

The Board remands several issues for further development, including service connection claims and increased rating claims for various disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise that the Veteran's lumbar disorder resulted from injuries sustained during active service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for entitlement to TDIU as already granted and denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for lumbar strain from February 6, 2021.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to a back condition, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and sciatica of the left lower extremity as secondary to lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted increased ratings and earlier effective dates for several service-connected conditions, but denied an increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection and granted a 20 percent initial rating for degenerative disc disease, herniated nucleus pulposus lumbosacral spine.

The appeal for service connection for a back disability, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence was in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's back disability manifested while in service and has continued to the present.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and he is eligible for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD and back disorder, granted an increased rating of 50% for migraine headaches from December 2, 2020, but denied increased ratings for left foot amputation and scars.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including TBI, psychiatric disabilities, cervical and lumbar spine issues, knee strains, shoulder and wrist conditions, and a ventral hernia. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation and the current presence of related disabilities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral hip, knee, and shoulder conditions.

The appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection for meniscal tear, cruciate ligament with degenerative arthritis of the right leg, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, L5, and right knee instability was denied.

The Board granted initial ratings of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine, and 10 percent for left hip femoral acetabular impingement syndrome (both impairment and limitation of extension), as well as an initial rating of 10 percent for hypertension. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied.

The Board remands the claim for a supplemental medical opinion to consider the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and special monthly compensation, as well as DEA benefits, due to no evidence of a claim being filed within one year of separation from service.

The Board remands the service connection claims for a back disorder and hypertension due to an inadequate VA opinion.

The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for persistent depressive disorder and a 50 percent rating for tension headaches, effective from May 29, 2019. The claims for earlier effective dates were denied.