Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to April 22, 2021, for a 20 percent rating for segmental dysfunction of thoracolumbar region and service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence showing symptoms that meet or approximate the criteria for a 20 percent rating prior to April 22, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar disability characterized by back pain. The right lower extremity disability, to include radiculopathy, is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot, right foot, left knee, right knee, left shoulder, and lumbar conditions due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the evaluation of their lumbar spine condition has been dismissed because they passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability due to lack of current diagnosis.,All other claims on appeal are remanded as there is a duty to assist error in obtaining opinions prior to the May 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of November 27, 2020. An effective date of November 27, 2020 is granted for the assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to determine the appropriate rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee or back disability, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 7, 2021 for the service-connected conditions of degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and acne due to insufficient evidence in the record. The left knee and stomach ulcers claims are denied as there is no objective medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine and related bilateral upper extremity disabilities were granted service connection effective May 6, 2020. The Board found the evidence established that the conditions predated this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain are found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injury, leading to the grant of service connection.

The Board has found duty to assist errors in the claims for service connection of psychiatric disability, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity sciatica, and left lower extremity sciatica. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance effective December 19, 2017.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. His GERD is also granted with an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbosacral strain as there are insufficient nexus opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, plantar fascitis, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, chronic bronchitis, left knee strain, right knee strain, lumbosacral strain, pes planus, or leg length discrepancy.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.