Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's asthma and lumbar spine condition were evaluated, with the asthma receiving a non-compensable rating due to favorable pulmonary function test results. The lumbar spine issue was remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including the failure to obtain relevant private medical records and an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD with TBI and vertigo, headaches, lumbosacral strain, sciatica (both sides), shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis (both sides), tinnitus, and bilateral varicocele and hydrocele are granted effective April 26, 2022.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits. The Board has determined that the earliest possible effective dates are February 18, 2014 for SMC and February 19, 2014 for DEA.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which was granted a permanent and total rating from February 18, 2014. This resulted in the assignment of earlier effective dates for both SMC and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for low back pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and PTSD with mood disorder have been granted. The effective dates are set at July 13, 2020, for the low back pain claim, November 30, 2020, for PTSD, and October 7, 2021, for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection of vertigo due to its full grant in a prior decision. Service connection is granted for low back disability, and the claims for left knee, left wrist, and left foot calcaneal spurs are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a back condition and diabetes mellitus. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and PTSD have been granted service connection on a direct basis.,Service connection for ED is remanded as secondary to PTSD. Service connection for headaches is also remanded as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and insufficient evidence. The Veteran's back condition claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the medical evidence does not sufficiently address whether the Veteran's congenital scoliosis is a disease or defect, and thus remands for further clarification.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not readjudicated due to lack of new and relevant evidence since a February 2019 rating decision. The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, as VA did not consider whether preexisting lumbar spine issues were aggravated by service or if the current condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine was granted service connection as it is considered a direct result of in-service injuries.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted with a 40% rating effective February 2, 2022. Service connection for alcohol abuse disorder and fatty liver disease is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability and bilateral foot disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis) due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was denied, and the earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied.

Service connection for a back condition is granted. Service connection for right lower radiculopathy and left lower radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for additional months of service-connected compensation for various conditions have been denied. The effective dates and payment start dates are legally correct.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 20, 2020 for the grants of service connection for scoliosis with lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and pes planus.