Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA) as it is at least as likely as not caused or chronically worsened by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to a procedural defect in how the appeal was filed.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent initial rating for topical dermatitis and denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board also finds no basis for granting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than August 6, 2021 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and an effective date earlier than August 25, 2023 for the grants of service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic, left and right are denied.,The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, a rating in excess of 20 percent for disc degeneration at fifth lumbar, first sacral of the lumbar spine, and ratings in excess of 40 and 20 percent for lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic, left and right are denied.,The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for scar, left knee, a rating in excess of 10 percent for painful scar, left knee, and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral degenerative joint disease and herniated nucleus pulposus (lumbar spine disorder) was denied as the disability does not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal regarding her claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, other than intervertebral disc syndrome from a February 2022 rating decision is dismissed because she did not timely file the required VA Form 10182.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and headache disability. The Veteran's current conditions are reasonably shown to have had onset in service.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and headache disabilities based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, GERD, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), skin cancer, and hiatal hernia, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the proposal to reduce the rating for lumbosacral strain was not a final decision affecting provision of benefits.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted an increased disability rating of 40 percent, effective March 19, 2022. The criteria for unfavorable ankylosis were not met.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. Service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxious mood and/or depressed mood, and any other mental disorders are denied due to lack of a formal DSM-5 diagnosis during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The lumbosacral strain claim is denied, and the hearing loss claim is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for headaches, including as secondary to tinnitus.

The Veteran's back disability, which was service-connected as of May 14, 1997, has caused her to require the regular aid and assistance of another person since that date.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of vasectomy, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and residuals of tailbone injury. The claim is now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active military service. The decision also notes that the gap in documented medical treatment between the in-service injury and post-service diagnosis does not negate the link.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for neck, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities. Service connection is denied for low back disability.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity with sciatic nerve involvement, and left leg stress fracture are currently rated at 40 percent, 20 percent, and 10 percent respectively. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of the disabilities.