Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his cervical and lumbar spine conditions. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining further medical advice.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of evidence.,The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for his left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to the retroactive award of service connection for recurrent lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss disability in the right ear due to a lack of current disability as defined by VA regulations.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss disability in the left ear, tinnitus, and back disability (degenerative arthritis).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or etiology related to his military service.,For the left ankle disability, the Veteran's claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether he has arthritis and its severity.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine with IVDS and radiculopathy with right calf muscle atrophy, right lower extremity to 40 percent effective November 1, 2019. The individual unemployability entitlement was also restored.

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical strain and lumbar strain due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinions. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial increased rating for back disability due to withdrawal. The right sciatica and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, but dismissed the appeals related to other conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the appellant's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as effective dates for certain conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions and records to address deficiencies in prior examinations.

The Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for the period beginning May 25, 2021.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent prior to December 2, 2019. A higher rating for this condition is denied. The right knee PFPS remains rated at 10 percent. Prior to September 1, 2020, a TDIU was granted based on service-connected disabilities; however, as of that date, the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for a low back disability and has remanded the issue of special monthly compensation (SMC). The Veteran's representative withdrew his appeal of the increased rating claim, but the SMC issue remains on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorders, and bilateral hand disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection. The Veteran's lay testimony will be considered along with his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board granted a 20% rating for radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve prior to April 6, 2022, and a 40% rating beginning April 6, 2022. It also granted a TDIU effective January 4, 2024.

The Board has granted service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to environmental factors during active military service. Service connection was also granted for a bilateral hip condition, but this issue is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development, including a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine range of motion and functional ability over time.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. Further development is needed as the VA opinions provided are inadequate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, increased ratings, and service connection for various conditions, except for sleep apnea which was granted.