Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death, which was due to advanced age and cardiac arrest. The VA medical opinions found no causal link between the service-connected conditions and obesity, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran's explicit withdrawal of all remaining appeals.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral knee strain and degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome (previously denied as lower back condition) due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease/IVDS, is granted. The appeal for a TDIU based on PTSD and other service-connected conditions is dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his current hearing acuity levels. For the lumbar degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, the Board remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination findings regarding flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition related to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for dermatitis was dismissed. His claim for service connection for OSA was dismissed as the June 2023 decision effectively granted his appeal in full. The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, but granted a 10 percent rating for sinusitis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology and nature of his claimed condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was found to have started during active service and has persisted, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him permanently bedridden or unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. He is not substantially confined to his house due to service-connected disabilities, nor does he have a single service-connected disability ratable at 100 percent along with other unrelated disabilities that combine to at least 60 percent.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 16, 2012 for the assignment of a separate compensable rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability (degenerative arthritis) is denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's right and left hip osteoarthritis have been granted service connection as secondary to his already service-connected lumbar spine disability and pes planus.,Service connection for headaches has been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain and the pre-existing condition of scoliosis. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to clarify these issues.

The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran's May 2023 VA Form 10182 was not timely filed and no good cause for extension has been presented.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability and basal cell carcinoma, finding that new evidence submitted after a prior final denial supports these claims.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's back disability, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal, restoring a separate and compensable disability rating of 10 percent for left sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for neck, low back, right knee, and left knee disorders. The Veteran's hypertension claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease has been dismissed as moot because the benefit was already granted in a prior decision.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD of the thoracolumbar spine and depressive disorder have effective dates of March 15, 2016.,A TDIU has been granted based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.