Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including the lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, shoulder disorders, cauda equina syndrome, neurogenic bowel disorder, erectile dysfunction, and various radiculopathies. The dental disorder and left ankle disorder were dismissed.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board remands the issues of an increased rating for lumbar muscle spasm and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the need for a new medical opinion that discounts the beneficial effects of medication.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral elbow condition, lower extremity loss of sensation, and cervical spine disability with cervical radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis pursuant to the PACT Act and increased ratings for cervical strain and degenerative disc disease, left sided cervical radiculopathy, irritable bowel syndrome, and left lateral collateral ligament sprain.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and remanded the claims for toenail condition and low back disability due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded the issue of an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) alone rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 19, 2019.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the lumbar spine disability from January 23, 2020, to August 2, 2022, and a 50 percent disability rating since August 3, 2022. The Veteran was also awarded an effective date of February 15, 2018, for the service connection of an unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral flat feet, lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, and left knee disability to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The Board granted a reinstatement of the 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's low back disability, effective November 1, 2022. The Board also granted an increased evaluation to 20 percent for left hand radial digital nerve impairment based on moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board found that the October 28, 1999 and March 31, 2000 rating decisions were not the product of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disability to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected knee conditions caused him to become obese, which in turn caused his low back condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for erectile dysfunction, cervical strain, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy, except for a 40 percent rating from April 30, 2008, to October 26, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for numbness of the right and left upper extremities, a left foot disability, and found that further evidence is needed to determine the etiology of a left shoulder and lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and ratings for back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and urinary incontinence and frequency. However, a 40 percent rating was granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy from November 1, 2021.