Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a recurrent thoracolumbar spine disability to obtain additional evidence, including verification of the Veteran's complete periods of active duty and associated medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, and the Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for respiratory complaints, low back condition, sleep apnea, and sleep disturbances are dismissed. The appeal for TBI is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic low back pain based on the evidence showing forward flexion limited to 65 degrees and no other significant functional impairment.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left middle finger strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee pain with functional impairment, and right and left ankle pain with functional impairment. The claims for a left shoulder disability, stomach disability, and an anxiety disorder were denied or remanded.

The appeal for service connection of allergies, bilateral hearing loss, right and left knee pain, low back pain, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with myelopathy and radiculopathy, finding that it is related to his military service. The TDIU claim is remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective June 6, 2017. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to January 1, 2020, based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, as the previous examination was found inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to a timely Notice of Disagreement filed with the September 2018 rating decision that assigned an effective date of July 27, 2018 for service connection. The Veteran is advised of her right to de novo review or traditional appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, left knee condition, numbness and tingling of the lower extremities, and low back disorder have been denied as there is no current disability related to his military service.,Service connection was not granted because the evidence does not show a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's plantar fasciitis including bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and residuals of left great toe fracture is rated at 30 percent, which is appropriate given her symptoms do not meet the criteria for more severe ratings.,The Veteran's bilateral TMD joint dysfunction with nocturnal bruxism is rated at 10 percent, which is appropriate based on her interincisal range and dietary restrictions.,The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis including disc space narrowing is rated at 10 percent, which is appropriate given the limitations in motion and functional impairment.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve is rated at 30 percent, which is appropriate based on her symptoms and findings.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve is rated at 40 percent, which is appropriate given the severity of her symptoms and functional impairment.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain including degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent, which is appropriate based on her findings and limitations.,The Veteran's uterine fibroid is not compensable as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids prior to July 14, 2020, is denied.,The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain (back disability) prior to July 14, 2020, is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar back, left shoulder, and neck conditions are granted service connection. The Veteran's PFB and left knee conditions are denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence of a current back condition, and the claim for this issue is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, lumbosacral spine degenerative joint and disc disease, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbosacral spine condition. The conditions are deemed related to in-service injuries during combat operations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, thoracolumbar spine injury, migraines, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to allow for further development.