Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing he became unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment within a year prior to his July 2020 filing.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain, which resolved the Veteran's claim. The issue of service connection for back injury is now dismissed as it was fully addressed by the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities remain at 20 percent each. Other conditions have been addressed or denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for these conditions based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability, herpes simplex, and TBI service connection issues due to insufficient evidence or error in development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to September 13, 2021 for the grant of a 20 percent rating for cervical spine disability. The evidence did not show that the Veteran was entitled to a higher rating before this date.

The Board has remanded all of the Veteran's claims due to a lack of VA examinations and for obtaining additional medical records. The claims include service connection for CFS, fibromyalgia, back disability, neck disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has dismissed all pending claims and appeals as the Veteran withdrew her appeal, stating she was already rated at 100 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension was not rated as compensable, as his diastolic pressure did not predominantly reach 100 or more.,SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted with an effective date of November 1, 2011.

The Veteran's combined rating for the appeal period prior to April 16, 2023 is granted at a maximum of 100 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a low back condition due to incomplete records and lack of evidence linking the current disability to service. The Veteran's symptoms are currently the only evidence provided, and further examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to a low back condition, DM-II, skin condition, sleep disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board has determined that these conditions may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease with lumbar facet joint disease, foraminal stenosis, spinal canal stenosis, and curvature of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in multiple lower extremity disabilities have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran needs to be afforded another VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has restored the Veteran's rating for IVDS with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine from 40 percent to 10 percent effective April 1, 2022, finding that the reduction was improper due to a failure to consider applicable regulations.

The Veteran's TMJ, back disability, right lower radiculopathy, and left lower radiculopathy claims have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating than currently assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate etiological opinions in prior VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating and an earlier effective date for lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for further review of the evidence.