Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms, including dysphagia, pyrosis, reflux, regurgitation, substernal arm/shoulder pain, frequent sleep disturbances, and vomiting, have resulted in severe impairment of health for the entire period on appeal from July 28, 2010 to September 21, 2023. As a result, a disability rating of 60 percent is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's back condition, including degenerative disc disease L5 to S1, sacralization on the left side L5, pseudarthrosis, a lower back strain, muscle spasms, sclerosis across the synchondrosis, or pseudoarticulation at L5-S1 on the left side is being evaluated again for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability. The case is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings and a need for additional retrospective assessments.

The appeal for service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to an inadequate Board decision.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions, including neck disability, shoulder disability, and various joint issues. The decision was based on errors in duty to assist and the need for further development of the evidence.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for lumbar spine disability was granted with an effective date of October 16, 2018. Other issues related to hip disabilities and ratings were remanded or denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, diagnosed as grade 1 anterior listhesis with disc bulging at L5/S1, degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc disease, is granted. The decision is based on new and relevant evidence submitted after the initial denial.

The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeals for right knee, left knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, lumbar disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were remanded.

The veteran's appeal for chronic fatigue syndrome was dismissed. The veteran's ratings for lumbar degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy were restored to 20 percent. The veteran was granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD and special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound criteria.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's back disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The evidence did not show these conditions were related to the veteran's service.

The veteran's rating for degenerative disc disease was restored to 20 percent. Service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve paralysis was denied.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for a 40% rating of lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was dismissed because it was improperly docketed in the modernized review system.

The Board dismissed claims for diverticulitis, hiatal hernia, right ankle disability, and left finger scar. Claims for left ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. Other conditions were remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, and right ankle disabilities were withdrawn. The claims for left foot disability, low back disability, left hip disability, left ankle disability, and respiratory disability were denied.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for tinnitus and service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Other issues related to digestive system disability, back disability, right foot disability, psychiatric disability, and penile disability were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for his wrist disability. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, psychiatric disorder, back disability, and foot disability were remanded.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability. The VA needs to verify the appellant's periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA during his Navy Reserve service and provide an adequate medical examination.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and total disability due to individual unemployability. The veteran will undergo a new VA examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been granted. The Board found that the veteran experienced continuity of symptomatology since service related to his low back disability.