Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right little finger sprain have been denied. The Veteran has been granted a 10% rating for his lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 100% effective from the date of his January 30, 2023 supplemental claim. The other service connection claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for sinus condition, right hip condition, and back condition. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions from VA clinicians.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to November 14, 2007 for hypertension service connection and a separate noncompensable rating for low back scar are granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension is denied. The claim for a higher rating for low back disability is remanded. The claim for a compensable rating for left lower extremity neuropathy affecting the internal saphenous nerve is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for thoracolumbar spine DDD due to a May 2017 injury during ACDUTRA, as there is no competent medical opinion on whether the condition was aggravated by this incident.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. An additional examination must be scheduled.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities limit his employment, while the back disability has been considered in his SSA benefits. The Board finds a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities but did not refer the TDIU claim for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability, as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain such an examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating of his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as they have withdrawn the appeal seeking increased ratings and service connection for various conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and left shoulder conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded as there was an inadequate pre-decisional medical opinion based on in-service audiograms only.,The Veteran's chronic renal insufficiency claim is remanded as the PACT Act requires additional procedural rights, including review of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) and toxic exposure examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity scars are granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The left ankle strain/sprain is denied any increase in rating beyond the current 10 percent. Service connection for PTSD and lumbar spine condition are also granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 26, 2020 and denied for a higher rating. Since September 26, 2020, the disability remains rated at 10 percent and also denied for a higher rating.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limited range of motion or other functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied as there was no increase in the disabilities within one year prior to June 8, 2021.,The Veteran did not file a claim of entitlement to service connection for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity associated with a thoracolumbar spine disability prior to June 8, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain, cervical degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, left hip strain, and right hip strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (back disability) has been denied.,New evidence received after the December 2015 rating decision, including allegations related to military training and exercises, is relevant to the claims of service connection for left knee strain and right knee strain.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with new evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's service connection for a lower back disability was granted, allowing him to qualify for VA home loan guaranty benefits.