Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. The claims of increased ratings for right knee strain, service connection for back condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their passing away during the pendency of this appeal.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 17, 2012 for the Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits. The effective dates are based on the Veteran's last reported work in February 2012.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it manifested during his period of active-duty service and has continued since.,Service connection for a back disability is remanded due to inadequate prior examination.

The Board has denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, right hip strain (limitation of extension), and right hip strain (limitation of flexion). The claims for low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and migraine-headaches are also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals seeking earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar spine disability, and a compensable rating for a cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and active military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The Board finds a need for a VA examination regarding his obstructive sleep apnea.

The rating for radiculopathy of the right side femoral nerve was reduced from 10 to 0 percent, but it has been restored. The proposed reduction of lumbar strain evaluation from 40 to 20 percent is dismissed.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis is due to in-service lumbar punctures and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ring finger disability is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a right little finger fracture is denied. The VA examiner found no functional impairment in the right ring finger, and thus no entitlement to a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with right foot plantar fasciitis, right and left foot hallux valgus, and right and left knee conditions.

The Board has found that the VA examinations obtained prior to the January 2022 rating decision were inadequate and thus remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, back condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition as there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied effective dates prior to September 29, 2020 for the awards of a 20% rating for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and a 40% rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome.,The Veteran's claims were based on VA examinations conducted in November 2020 that showed worsening symptoms, including pain and limited mobility.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate statement of reasons and bases for denying a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The claim is being returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not result in the need for regular aid and attendance or permanent bedridden status at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, total hip arthroplasty, OSA, lumbar DDD with L4-S1 bulge, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and avascular necrosis of the right hip, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for cervical spine disability due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in May 2004 and June 2004 rating decisions, finding no CUE.