Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not severe enough to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to June 28, 2012. The Board denied an earlier effective date for the TDIU.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the November 2021 rating decision and has remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, carpal tunnel disabilities, pseudofolliculitis barbae, knee disabilities, and lower back disability. As a result, the Board dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of radiculopathy affecting the left femoral nerve, right sciatic nerve, and left sciatic nerve were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the low back disability and remanded issues of service connection for upper back and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding secondary causation or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims are related to various hip disabilities, respiratory issues, and headaches.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective July 7, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in disability ratings beyond 10 percent.,Service connection for TBI with memory loss and psychomotor epilepsy (complex partial seizures and temporal lobe seizures) is remanded as there are issues of fact to be resolved regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to now service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain, is granted on a causation basis.,The Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by active duty service and is therefore service-connected.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided in connection with these claims are inadequate and remands them for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of sprain of the right wrist is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a back disability (claimed as residuals roll back syndrome, pinched nerve) is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a left-hand disability as secondary to service-connected fracture, fifth metacarpal, right hand is granted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected CAD, acute myocardial infarction, CHF with CABG status PCI is granted a temporary total rating of 100% from December 23, 2023 to March 23, 2024. The remaining issues related to PVD, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent from March 31, 2021 onwards. The effective date for the award of service connection for his lower extremity radiculopathies and painful scar are September 2, 2020 and January 23, 2020 respectively.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed all issues on appeal.

The Board has dismissed your appeal because you have already been granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, which is related to your lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back and renal cell carcinoma status post (s/p) right half kidney disabilities, finding that the Veteran's neck condition was caused by his service-connected back disability and residual effects of required treatment for his service-connected renal cell carcinoma.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for traumatic brain injury and tension headaches due to insufficient medical opinions. The lumbosacral strain claim remains denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for PTSD, mitral valve prolapse, and a back disability due to an improper concurrent election of review options.