Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with DDD, finding a link between the Veteran's condition and his military service.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and denied an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with herniated discs, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right knee tendinitis and patella femoral pain syndrome, as well as compensable ratings for right hip iliopsoas tendinitis with limitation of flexion, extension, and abduction.

The Board granted service connection for right ankle right lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic/recurrent) and posterior tibial tendonitis, but denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. Several claims for service connection were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for major depressive disorder, and service connection for impotence of organic origin as secondary to degenerative joint disease of the left ankle.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and coronary artery disease (CAD) based on in-service exposure to high G-forces as a fighter pilot or due to in-service hyperlipidemia.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a C-section scar, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for knee conditions and neck/low back conditions were remanded.

The Board denied a compensable rating for hearing loss and left eyebrow laceration, remanded an effective date prior to April 23, 2018, for the award of service connection for left femoral nerve radiculopathy, and considered other issues including service connection for a neck disability (secondary) and ratings for various conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left shin splints, granted service connection for CFS, and denied increased ratings for ankle and back disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for lumbar spine condition and medial tibial stress syndrome, right were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and various ratings in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, and left ulnar tunnel syndrome. However, a 20 percent rating was granted for the left ulnar tunnel syndrome.

The Board granted an evaluation of 40 percent for the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, 20 percent for the left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and 40 percent for the status-post arthroscopy for adhesive capsulitis & debridement of partial labral tear (right shoulder) from June 2, 2021, to January 28, 2024.

The Board granted service connection for low back condition, neck condition, right arm epicondylitis, and a disability characterized by vertigo, nausea, and loss of balance.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for IBS but granted an effective date of October 13, 2006, for lumbosacral strain. The issues related to initial ratings and TDIU were remanded.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and somatic symptom disorder, with predominant pain, during the period on appeal from April 26, 2019, to May 29, 2019, but denied higher ratings for other periods. A 40 percent rating was granted for lumbar spondylosis during a specific period.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left side sciatica was granted, and several issues were remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board reinstated the 40% rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine effective January 1, 2021. The application to readjudicate service connection for a right hip disability was denied.

The Board granted service connection for left wrist condition, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, and left hand condition, as well as a compensable rating of 20 percent for hemorrhoids.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, cervical spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, and left-hand carpal tunnel syndrome. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied, as well as the claim for a higher rating.