Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied earlier effective dates for the cervical spine and left upper extremity radiculopathy claims, and remanded an increased rating claim for the cervical spine.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for headaches, dizziness, a low back disability, and PTSD due to procedural defects in the claims-processing rules.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and greater than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and degenerative disc disease, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for stomach and bowel disabilities due to insufficient evidence of current disability.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability as the evidence did not show that it was related to his active-duty service.

The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, effective from December 13, 2023.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to service-connected MVP, DDD, and hypertension.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and remanded the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity, radiculopathy, sciatic nerve.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and initial ratings due to a missing official military personnel file (OMPF) and service treatment records (STRs).

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and remanded the claims for service connection for breathing problems, back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and penile condition.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board remands the claim for a back condition to obtain a VA examination and service treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, and arthritis lumbar spine muscle strain as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied an effective date prior to September 16, 2014, for the restoration of a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected spondylolysis of lumbar spine with degenerative joint disease L4-5 and L5-S1.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, right shoulder strain, and left shoulder strain on a direct basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating and DEA based on permanent total disability status, as it was not factually ascertainable that her L3-4 degenerative disc disease exhibited forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, or favorable or unfavorable ankylosis prior to August 19, 2021.

The Board denied the claims for a compensable rating and an increased rating for scars, and remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and for service connection for a right hip condition.

The Board remands the claims for further development and evidence gathering.

The appeal for service connection for lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board remands the matter for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability and whether it manifests the functional equivalent of ankylosis.