Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining a new opinion addressing the nature and severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine strain during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, entitling him to special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate beginning December 23, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder and denied increased ratings for the lumbar spine disorder, except granted a 40% rating from January 10, 2019, to January 14, 2024, and a 20% rating for RLE radiculopathy. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral musculoskeletal strain with degenerative changes has precluded substantially gainful employment since March 1, 2017.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right ankle sprain, and left foot strain, as well as remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from September 5, 2017, precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder strain and lower back disability as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions were not shown to be related to military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, headaches, shoulder disorders, ankle disorders, hip disorders, lumbar disorder, and lower extremity radiculopathy, to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right great toe scar were denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome and a rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and remanded the claims for left knee, right knee, hypertension, and GERD disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD and a lumbar spine disability to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a right shoulder disability for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury. The claims for secondary service connection for bladder incontinence and cervical spine degenerative disc disease were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder pain/arthritis, left shoulder pain/arthritis, and a low back disorder as new and relevant evidence was not received. The claim for erectile dysfunction was remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for low back disabilities, including arthritis, and right and left leg radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected low back disabilities.

The Board denied benefits for spina bifida and other covered birth defects as the appellant's mother is not a Vietnam Veteran, and she does not meet the criteria for spina bifida other than spina bifida occulta.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, finding that the Veteran's back condition is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.