Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded due to incomplete evidence and the need for an adequate medical opinion based on a complete evidentiary record.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates related to the Veteran's left knee disability, lumbar syndrome, LUE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy due to improper docketing as AMA appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability (intervertebral disc syndrome) and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for bilateral hip disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and new evidence will be considered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and right lumbosacral radiculopathy at L5-S1 associated with intervertebral disc disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent for the left lower extremity condition or 10 percent for the right lumbosacral radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no new and relevant evidence to support reopening of the claims. The Board finds that the current gastrointestinal disability, low back disability, and right knee disability are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the AOJ erred in not considering the Veteran's request for an extension of time to file a supplemental claim due to the COVID-19 national emergency. The claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA are remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were continuously appealed in the Legacy system since 2015, but he did not properly opt-in his concurrent Legacy appeal to the AMA system. As a result, he cannot utilize the effective date from the Legacy appeal stream.,The Board finds that AMA regulations do not permit the Veteran to utilize the September 2015 application date from the concurrent Legacy appeal stream.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent hip, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to potential pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including TBI, vertigo, sleep apnea, and neurological impairment of the upper and lower extremities due to cold exposure, have been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran does not have these conditions or their claimed causes.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claim was denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's thoracic back condition claim was denied due to lack of in-service injury and insufficient continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further medical opinion regarding whether the lumbar spine disability is caused, aggravated, or would not have occurred but for service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for residuals of postoperative right knee lateral collateral ligament strain remains at 10 percent, while other conditions are either not granted or remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, which would be required for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is related to his military service and has been granted. The claims for chronic bronchitis and low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain her Reserve service records and provide TERA opinions regarding certain conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to lack of evidence of current disability or related pain, and no injury or manifestation in service.

The Board has granted service connection for the appellant's lumbar spine disability, finding that it was aggravated by subsequent reserve service.