Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and neck disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain (back condition) and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica), finding that these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected feet, ankle, and/or knee conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and he seeks a higher rating. The Board finds the June 2021 VA examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes due to inconsistent findings regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder condition, right knee condition, and low back condition due to insufficient medical opinions in the October 2020 VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve, and sciatic nerves were granted effective from February 28, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder, specifically whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on his service-connected back conditions, bilateral knee conditions, right eyebrow scar, and cyst have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, tinnitus, and hearing loss due to potential errors in the previous VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence related to private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and requires a VA examination for service connection of a back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an increased rating for residuals of RLE disability, including consideration of musculoskeletal impairment of the right hip. The case will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board denied service connection for low back condition, high blood pressure, lower stomach problems, and a disease manifested by acid reflux as there is no competent evidence of these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on the degree of forward flexion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The right hip condition claim has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional VA examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and bilateral pes planus conditions prior to December 22, 2020.

An effective date of May 9, 2017, and no earlier, is granted for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). An effective date of May 9, 2017, and no earlier, is also granted for entitlement to basic eligibility for Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status.

The Veteran's cervical strain and degenerative disc disease were found to have begun in service and are considered chronic. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, including his work as a heavy equipment operator.

The Veteran's timely HLR request for review of the December 2019 SOC is granted, as the incomplete address on the document and the representative's lack of receipt support a finding that the request was timely filed.