Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for a back condition and a neck condition, but remanded the claims for a right knee condition and sinusitis.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities from November 2, 2006, but denied a higher rating for lumbar spine strain with mild osteoarthritis and mild stenosis. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from November 2, 2006.

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee DJD based on instability, as well as lumbar spine DDD, due to insufficient evidence of moderate or severe instability.

The Board remands the claims for higher evaluations of lumbar spine disability and sciatica of the right leg to provide an adequate examination that considers the ameliorative effects of medication with regard to range of motion.

The Board remands the claim for a higher initial disability rating than 20 percent for the low back disability from October 14, 2011, to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board denied increased ratings for asthma with COPD, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left and right knee disabilities, and left and right ankle disabilities. However, TDIU was granted.

The Board denied disability ratings in excess of the current 20 percent for degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine post laminectomy, 20 percent for residuals of a fractured right clavicle, 10 percent for right knee chondromalacia, and 10 percent for residuals of a right wrist fracture.

The Board granted restoration of the 30 percent rating for left eye optic atrophy with visual defects and denied increased ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including hips, back, shoulders, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, cervical strain, chronic sinusitis, and lumbosacral strain due to a procedural error in the Veteran's appeal. The claim for a migraine or headache condition was remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, a 70 percent initial rating for PTSD since July 1, 2014, and a 10 percent rating for TMJ with bruxism. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back injury to the RO for initial consideration of new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, liver condition, and hearing loss. The claims for increased evaluations were also denied, as was the request for TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, and denied the claims for a neck condition, traumatic brain injury, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including a right shoulder disability, right elbow disability, lumbar spine disability, allergic rhinitis, respiratory disability (claimed as bilateral lungs condition), gastrointestinal disability (claimed as stomach condition), and erectile dysfunction.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and right knee disorder to afford the Veteran VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The appeal of a proposed reduction of the evaluation of cluster headaches from 30 percent to 0 percent was dismissed due to it being only a proposal and not an effectuated decision.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, a lumbosacral disability, and right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations and the need for further development of evidence related to toxic exposures.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and a left shoulder disability, but denied increased ratings for PTSD and TMD, as well as service connections for chronic sinusitis, respiratory insufficiency, dyspnea, CFS, fibromyalgia, dermatitis, functional abdominal pain syndrome, bloating, hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, IBS, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, left upper extremity neuropathy, and right upper extremity neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating from July 9, 2020.