Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the appellant's petition to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, asthma, lumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition, and bilateral shoulder condition. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not demonstrate forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at or below 30 degrees.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spondylosis has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from July 19, 2013, to October 16, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right hip conditions due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for lumbar DDD and bilateral sacroiliac osteoarthritis is granted, effective from April 22, 2015. A rating of at least 40 percent for a low back disability is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of lumbar disc herniation was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal before the Board made a decision.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for left knee condition, back condition, and frequent migraines due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has determined that there are missing service records and the RO did not obtain all relevant information. The case is being remanded to ensure all available records are obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to duty-to-assist errors, including a lack of an opinion addressing whether his current spinal conditions are related to in-service heavy lifting.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only due to lack of anatomical loss of hands or feet.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine is related to his military service and granted as direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, osteoarthritis of the right hand second digit and thumb, asthma, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), prostate cancer with prostatectomy, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, right thigh residual scar, right index finger scar, and abdomen scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding whether new and relevant evidence has been submitted for entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, back, neck, obstructive sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury (TBI)/concussion. The decision does not affect the Veteran's HLR.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disability, and a back disability have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosed conditions that meet the criteria for these disorders.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between any current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective August 31, 2012, as he met the schedular criteria for a TDIU at that time. The issue of TDIU was not previously denied and remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the spine, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy, have been granted.,Service connection is established for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, including parachute jumps.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no longer a case or controversy with regard to the claim for service connection for synovial cyst at right L4-5 with spinal stenosis low back pain secondary to service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis, status post arthroscopic surgery and degenerative arthritis of the left knee.

The Veteran was granted TDIU effective June 1, 2019. The Board finds that the AOJ failed to consider her specific job requirements and limitations caused by service-connected disabilities prior to May 1, 2019. Therefore, a remand is necessary for further development.