Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and an addendum opinion. The Board will determine whether the Veteran attended his scheduled August 2024 VA examination, and ensure that an adequate opinion has been obtained.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection. The Board found the VA opinion inadequate and remanded for further examination regarding his back condition, bilateral knee conditions, and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted. The claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities prior to September 26, 2018, is denied as the Veteran has already been in receipt of a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings have been remanded due to her failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and initial ratings for left knee conditions, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records, particularly those uploaded into Vista Imaging and private medical records from the Veteran's CHOICE and Community Care programs.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is advised to contact VA and provide a reason if he cannot attend the upcoming examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and left hip degenerative joint disease are related to his active-duty service, with the evidence being in equipoise. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, left ankle strain, and right lower extremity sciatica secondary to lumbosacral strain. Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no current diagnosis and no evidence of any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, and headaches due to a duty to assist error in obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new addendum opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder disability, tinnitus, arthritis, and back disability are denied. The claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is also denied.

The Veteran's service connection for major depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, and pelvic pain is restored. The rating for lumbosacral strain remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbar facet arthropathy, is related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran is requested to undergo another VA examination.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted as the Veteran's tinnitus manifested within one year of separation from active service.,Service connection for a back disability is granted as the Veteran reported experiencing back pain during active service and has continued to experience flare-ups since then.