Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted as the evidence supports a current disability and continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's claim for a lower back condition was denied due to lack of evidence supporting an in-service injury or chronicity of symptoms.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar sprain with degenerative disc disease based on the current level of disability and functional impact.

The Veteran's headaches were not found to warrant a compensable rating prior to July 1, 2021, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. Service connection was granted for allergies other than service-connected allergic rhinitis.,Bilateral foot neuropathy is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to jet fuel.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee arthritis degenerative, and right knee arthritis degenerative. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions first began in service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 26, 2014 and July 27, 2009 for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a claim within one year of discharge.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 27, 2009 for degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS and lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower sciatic nerve associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine were denied as there was no evidence of a claim within one year of discharge.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 26, 2014 for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower sciatic nerve associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS were denied as there was no evidence of a claim within one year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and sciatica due to incomplete development of his military records, including those from National Guard service. The claims are being returned for further investigation into whether the Veteran incurred or aggravated a low back condition during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain (limitation of flexion) have been denied. The VA determined that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The decision does not specify a particular effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as related radiculopathy. The VA is required to obtain missing service treatment records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board granted an increased initial rating of 70 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and insomnia disorder, but denied higher ratings or service connection for other conditions.

The Board granted increased disability ratings of 40 percent and 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) from August 27, 2021, but denied increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board denied an effective date prior to April 1, 2021 for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to obesity, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence shows that the Veteran's OSA is related to his obesity, which was caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for low back disability and cervical spine disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the right shoulder disability, as it was limited to painful motion at a flexion endpoint of 100 degrees and abduction endpoint of 105 degrees. For the lumbar spine disability, the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS warranting a higher rating.

The Board granted the petition to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition due to new and relevant evidence being submitted.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's back, right hip, asthma, and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is denied as the evidence does not show that he meets the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his post-surgical spinal fusion scar is denied as the evidence does not show that he has scars associated with underlying tissue damage.