Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The decision does not specify a particular effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as related radiculopathy. The VA is required to obtain missing service treatment records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board granted an increased initial rating of 70 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and insomnia disorder, but denied higher ratings or service connection for other conditions.

The Board granted increased disability ratings of 40 percent and 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) from August 27, 2021, but denied increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board denied an effective date prior to April 1, 2021 for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to obesity, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence shows that the Veteran's OSA is related to his obesity, which was caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for low back disability and cervical spine disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the right shoulder disability, as it was limited to painful motion at a flexion endpoint of 100 degrees and abduction endpoint of 105 degrees. For the lumbar spine disability, the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS warranting a higher rating.

The Board granted the petition to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition due to new and relevant evidence being submitted.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's back, right hip, asthma, and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is denied as the evidence does not show that he meets the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his post-surgical spinal fusion scar is denied as the evidence does not show that he has scars associated with underlying tissue damage.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 25, 2009 for TDIU due to lack of evidence showing a qualifying disability and inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 50 percent, effective May 1, 2016. The Board also granted TDIU but denied it due to the Veteran not submitting necessary information.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a rating of 20 percent from February 9, 2016, to December 22, 2020. The claim for an increase in the rating prior to June 27, 2015, and from June 27, 2015, to February 9, 2016, is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in several areas, including obstructive sleep apnea and spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition, left ankle cyst, and back condition due to outstanding service treatment records.

The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors in the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection. The issues are being remanded to correct these errors.

The Veteran is granted a 50% rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and IVDS, and 40% ratings each for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities.