Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected lumbosacral strain is granted, and the issue of a higher initial rating for her disability is remanded due to incomplete examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left hip disability have been restored to their previous ratings of 40 percent and 10 percent, respectively, effective March 7, 2022.,The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to May 21, 2014 has been remanded. Her DEA eligibility for Chapter 35 benefits is also pending an earlier effective date determination.

The Veteran's low back musculotendinous strain is rated at 10% and denied a higher rating.,Noncompensable ratings are assigned for the right ring finger and right little fingers, both previously rated as residuals of tendon transfer surgery.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an increased rating for residuals of right knee fracture due to incomplete information in the records, including missing treatment records from William Beaumont Army Medical Center. The Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities are being recharacterized as encompassing any lumbar spine disability, and new evidence is needed to readjudicate the claim on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for various disabilities and an increased rating for WPWS was dismissed due to untimely filing of the VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his IVDS with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded. His service connection claim for folliculitis barbae is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the issue of service connection for lumbosacral strain (claimed as lower back pain due to service in the Republic of Vietnam from September 1968 to August 1969) requires further development and is therefore remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence showing an in-service event, injury, or disease that caused his current condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back conditions, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his IVDS with degenerative arthritis is denied. The Board has remanded the issue due to procedural issues and potential new evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the decision was made, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to service-connected disabilities. The VA will obtain new medical opinions to address causation and aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they have not resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being less than 60 degrees or any other criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis has been denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for left, right knee conditions and lower back condition. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Unspecified Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress, right heel traumatic fracture with degenerative joint disease, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The decision is based on a finding that the weight gain related to these conditions caused by depression led to the development of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to the claimed condition.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain was granted, but an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied due to lack of medical nexus establishing causation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, lumbar strain, left wrist condition, and right hand tendinopathy due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence and urgency are found to be related to his service-connected lumbar DDD, IVDS, and spinal stenosis. Service connection is granted for right and left foot conditions and hypertension on a secondary basis. The rating for lumbosacral strain remains at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability claim should be remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it had its onset in service and whether it is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected right knee and left ankle disabilities.