Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right foot disability and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for thoracolumbar strain with scoliosis, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claim for increased rating for thoracolumbar strain with scoliosis was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety), headache disorder, TBI, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sinusitis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinea versicolor of the arms, leg, chest, and face are all denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of unfavorable ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including intervertebral disc syndrome and status post spine fusion, as the evidence did not support a finding that the condition was incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted the restoration of service connection for six disabilities: left upper leg gunshot wound, left forearm gunshot wound, entry and exit wounds associated with lumbar spine injuries, paralumbar muscles injury, PTSD, and left knee osteoarthritis. The original grant was based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has not been rated higher than the current 0 percent evaluation due to the lack of evidence showing that his hearing impairment more nearly approximates a compensable level.,The VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for the opinion regarding lumbosacral strain, and an addendum is needed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for right lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of osteoarthritis and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, right hip; osteoarthritis, left hip; and spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome, lower back all secondary to right knee. The Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are related to in-service IED attacks, with the current conditions being at least as likely as not caused by these events.,Both the low back and right knee disabilities were found to be directly related to service.

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

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of January 3, 2018. His Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility is also granted from the same date.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and low back disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred in or caused by active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a diagnosis within one year after separation from service.

The VA proposed reducing the appellant's disability rating for spondylosis of the lumbar spine from 40 percent to noncompensably disabling, but this proposal was not finalized and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed right ankle, lumbar spine, right knee, right hip, right shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, left elbow, and cervical spine conditions based on credible lay statements and medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with lumbar disc disease. The evidence does not support finding that the current disability is related to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right little finger disability was denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or functional impairment akin to amputation, and thus no basis for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is etiologically related to his active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability due to inadequate nexus opinions and the need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for gout and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination.,For lumbosacral strain, right knee degenerative arthritis, fatty liver disease (claimed as hepatitis C), and bilateral hearing loss, service connection is denied.

Your claim for service connection of a back disability has been granted, and you are now receiving a 40% rating effective from November 11, 2011. The appeal is dismissed as the benefits sought have already been fully granted.