Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

Service connection for plantar fasciitis and low back disability is dismissed as there are no eligible rating decisions in the year prior to receipt of the VA Form 10182.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted based on a finding that it manifested within one year of service separation, with evidence not supporting an etiological link to service. Service connection for other stress and trauma related disorder with secondary alcohol use disorder is granted as it is linked to service.,Service connection for right shoulder disability (claimed as pain), left sciatica, and right sciatica is denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection for hypertension is denied because there is no evidence showing a chronic condition in service or manifesting within the applicable presumptive period. Service connection for dizziness is also denied due to lack of evidence supporting an etiological link to service.

The Veteran's claims for fatigue, sleep apnea, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis have been denied as the submitted evidence is not new and relevant.,For left knee strain and lumbosacral strain (previously claimed as lumbar condition), the claims are remanded due to insufficient nexus opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since March 18, 2020. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 8, 2024 is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence and obtain an addendum medical opinion from the September 2020 VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records, and requests that all relevant military records be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to comply with prior remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The VA examinations were not adequate in addressing pain during range of motion testing. Additional evidence is needed to determine if there is any loss of function due to pain.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected lumbosacral strain is granted, and the issue of a higher initial rating for her disability is remanded due to incomplete examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left hip disability have been restored to their previous ratings of 40 percent and 10 percent, respectively, effective March 7, 2022.,The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to May 21, 2014 has been remanded. Her DEA eligibility for Chapter 35 benefits is also pending an earlier effective date determination.

The Veteran's low back musculotendinous strain is rated at 10% and denied a higher rating.,Noncompensable ratings are assigned for the right ring finger and right little fingers, both previously rated as residuals of tendon transfer surgery.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an increased rating for residuals of right knee fracture due to incomplete information in the records, including missing treatment records from William Beaumont Army Medical Center. The Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities are being recharacterized as encompassing any lumbar spine disability, and new evidence is needed to readjudicate the claim on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for various disabilities and an increased rating for WPWS was dismissed due to untimely filing of the VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his IVDS with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded. His service connection claim for folliculitis barbae is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the issue of service connection for lumbosacral strain (claimed as lower back pain due to service in the Republic of Vietnam from September 1968 to August 1969) requires further development and is therefore remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence showing an in-service event, injury, or disease that caused his current condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back conditions, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his IVDS with degenerative arthritis is denied. The Board has remanded the issue due to procedural issues and potential new evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the decision was made, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to service-connected disabilities. The VA will obtain new medical opinions to address causation and aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they have not resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being less than 60 degrees or any other criteria for a higher rating.