Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right hip, and heart disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's back disability during service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and a new VA opinion is required.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, sciatica of the right lower extremity as secondary to a low back disability, and sinusitis. Service connection for a right ankle disability is being remanded.,Service connection is granted for a low back disability, sciatica of the right lower extremity, and sinusitis. The right ankle disability issue remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and to determine if they are related to his military service. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's low back muscle spasms are granted as service connection. The left hip arthritis and neck condition are denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions is granted for his low back muscle spasms, but not for his left hip arthritis or neck condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and hip conditions, prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period from January 14, 2011 to March 21, 2016.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right shoulder conditions, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The back condition is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for a retrospective medical opinion addressing the Veteran's lumbar spine disability during the period between October 17, 2008 and November 21, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and residuals of stroke due to incomplete development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records. The case is also being remanded for consideration of SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been denied higher ratings due to lack of evidence showing unfavorable ankylosis.,Higher ratings for the upper and lower extremity radiculopathies are also remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and mucinosis (skin disorder) have been granted service connection, with the latter receiving a 60% initial rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that it is not related to his service-connected disabilities and concluding that there was no evidence of direct service connection either.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim of menstrual dysfunction was not granted as there is no evidence showing a current disability or functional impairment related to her Persian Gulf service. Claims for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities were also denied due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 3, 2022. Effective from that date, he is granted special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as well as whether it is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding TBI-related disabilities.

For the initial rating period from November 19, 2014 to July 28, 2015, a rating of 30 percent for myofascial headaches is granted.,For the initial rating period from July 29, 2015 to May 17, 2018, a rating in excess of 30 percent for myofascial headaches is denied.,For the initial rating period beginning May 18, 2018, a rating of 30 percent for myofascial headaches is granted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease claim has been remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective April 26, 2021. The Board also found that his tuberculosis residuals do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine conditions.

The Veteran's migraine and tension headaches are rated at 50% prior to February 27, 2020, and a higher rating is not warranted.,Since February 27, 2020, the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome warrants a 40% rating.