Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's GERD and right foot disability are granted service connection. The claims for Raynaud's phenomenon, scleroderma, neck disability, lower back disability, perforated sigmoid colon, and lung condition are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of information verifying exposure to herbicide agents during military service, and because the PACT Act requires VA to provide an examination and obtain a medical opinion addressing the possibility of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and the TERA.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and compliance with VA examination guidelines.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for major depressive disorder and back problems have been dismissed as she requested withdrawal of her appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current sinus disorder, low back disorder, or right ankle disorder. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased evaluations of his service-connected thoracolumbar strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (low back disability) was restored to a 40 percent rating effective February 1, 2021.,A higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine disorder and thoracolumbar spine disorder. The claims for headaches and hemorrhoids are REMANDED due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause intermittent inability to dress or undress herself, an inability to keep herself ordinarily clean and presentable, and an inability to feed herself through loss of coordination and weakness of the upper extremities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions including GERD, hemorrhoids, chronic headaches, a right hand disability, thoracolumbar spine issues, and radiculopathy in the lower extremities due to the Appellant's dishonorable discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spondylosis with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of individual unemployability prior to May 25, 2018 on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, RLE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and vacated the remand decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA examination reports and a need for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis during the period prior to July 26, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cataracts, left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back disability due to inadequate rationale in previous VA opinions. Additional development is needed including obtaining STRs and other medical records.

Service connection is granted for left shoulder disorder, peripheral enthesopathy, and lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's claims of polyuria and skin condition (claimed as acne) are remanded for additional development. TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and associated radicular conditions. The claims are being returned for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the severity of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lumbar spine, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy due to issues with the rating criteria not specifically addressing the effects of medication.

The Board has found that further development is necessary due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records. The case is being remanded for additional evaluation of the Veteran's back disability.