Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board found that the reduction of ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right knee arthritis with limited painful extension, and left knee limitation of flexion was proper. The Veteran's overall combined rating has not changed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, leg, and low back conditions due to cold injury have been denied. Effective dates earlier than January 7, 2021, for the award of service connection for frostbite (first degree) with neuropathy in both feet are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, low back disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's conditions were found to have worsened during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability increased in severity during active duty service and if so, whether it was clearly and unmistakably due to the natural progress of the disease.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD has been denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbosacral strain due to an alleged secondary service connection based on an altered gait from a right ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his symptoms began during his period of active service deemed as bad conduct and therefore not eligible for benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and for providing opinions on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to procedural error.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, head injury, and neck pain as the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.,An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for left knee, left foot, right foot, and low back disabilities. These issues are being remanded due to missing records from Reserve/ National Guard service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and right shoulder condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to military service.

The appeal for service connection for a low back condition is dismissed as the claim has been fully granted.,The right knee condition will be reconsidered due to new and relevant evidence having been received since the last denial in October 2013.,The bunions claim will not be reconsidered as no new and relevant evidence was received since the last denial in October 2013.,Service connection for cervical strain is denied.

The Board has found procedural errors and remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing post-service treatment records. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error due to the insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back disorder is caused or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral hip strain. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD rating is restored to 40 percent effective September 3, 2021. A TDIU and PTSD/bipolar disorder ratings are denied. The Veteran also receives eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and remanded the claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of lumbosacral strain due to duty-to-assist errors and inadequate nexus opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The lower back disability remains remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea, migraines, tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, and posttraumatic stress disorder has been granted with an effective date of October 14, 2019.,An initial rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.,Service connection for neck disorder, right shoulder disorder and low back disorder are all denied.