Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disability, as well as the TDIU rating. The new evidence suggests that these conditions may be related to service, but further medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for cervical spine disability with DDD and bulging disc were denied. The claim was also denied for a higher rating from April 14, 2020.,The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for ankylosis or unfavorable ankylosis of the cervical spine, thus denying her request for increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if he has any of these conditions, and whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has denied increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, but has remanded the claim for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with strain due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder condition and lumbosacral condition. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that there were no unadjudicated applications and that a CUE in the August 2013 rating decision did not warrant an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with arthritis and cervical strain with arthritis were denied effective November 14, 2012. The Board found that the earliest permissible effective date was November 14, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of neck and back conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's in-service complaints and his wife's statements are considered.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating and earlier effective dates due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip pain has been granted. The claim for service connection for a low back disability secondary to the service-connected right hip disability is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and low lumbar midline scar have been granted effective dates based on the date of service connection.,A temporary 100% rating for lumbar spine surgery through June 1, 2021, has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral and cervical strains, finding that the Veteran's current conditions began during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of an increased rating for a right knee disability, service connection for a back disability, service connection for a neck disability, and service connection for diabetes mellitus due to pre-existing duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing was granted, and the claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed due to the award of specially adapted housing. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for chronic sinusitis (maxillary) was denied.,The Veteran has been awarded eligibility for specially adapted housing based on his service-connected lumbar myositis; bulging disc, L4-L5, L5-S1 and TDIU status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment during service and within one year after discharge. The Board also found the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuous pain since separation to be not credible.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and thoracolumbar spine scoliosis / lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,The VA examiner opined that the current disabilities were less likely than not incurred during active duty due to lack of medical records documenting such injuries.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, right shoulder, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, right knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities. The evidence did not establish a clear and unmistakable error in the finding of current diagnoses or show a causal relationship to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has denied service connection for left upper extremity neuritis, right upper extremity neuritis, and right lower extremity sciatica. The claims of service connection for migraines and lumbosacral strain are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of entitlement to a temporary total disability evaluation based on convalescence under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis.