Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the VA's duty to assist claimants in obtaining relevant records was not met prior to the August 2022 decision on appeal. The claims for increased ratings are being remanded to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to new evidence received within one year of the February 2010 rating decision, which indicates that the Veteran was unable to work due to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his right ankle condition and service connection for a back condition secondary to his right ankle condition have been denied. The denial is based on the Veteran failing to report for a scheduled VA examination, and insufficient evidence linking his back condition to his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims are not properly decided due to inadequate medical opinions and missing treatment records. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her service-connected conditions did not prevent her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and secondary service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as related to the now service-connected low back disability.,There is no specific rating assigned, effective date or exposure basis mentioned in this decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the knees, sinusitis, arthritis of the feet, a right elbow disability, and a low back disability due to lack of evidence showing an in-service event or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and other disabilities, did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of right shin splint, left shin splint, mood disorder, sciatic radiculopathy (right lower extremity), lumbosacral strain, irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophagitis, allergic rhinitis, sciatic radiculopathy (left lower extremity), and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 30 percent effective December 28, 2022. The rating for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS is granted at 20 percent effective December 28, 2022.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and lumbosacral strain have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion and failure to consider certain evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis on a presumptive basis due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, specifically in Qatar. However, it denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied entitlement to a compensable rating for a right little finger condition.,The Veteran's appeal was remanded for further action regarding his claims for back, neck, left shoulder, right shoulder, hemorrhoids, and stomach conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lower back disability, including its onset during service and any relationship to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and lumbosacral strain have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injury and resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent lumbar spine injury residuals with degenerative disc disease and left L4 5 hemilaminectomy and disc excision residuals, finding that the Veteran's disability originated during active service. Service connection was also granted for a recurrent headache disability to include migraine, but the matter is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.