Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right foot disabilities due to duty-to-assist errors.,An addendum VA opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected multi-level disk bulging of the lumbar spine and sciatica, left lower extremity are granted a 40 percent evaluation effective December 3, 2010.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 1, 2019 for the award of a 70% disability rating for PTSD and has also granted entitlement to TDIU. The initial 40% disability rating for lumbosacral strain remains unchanged as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of limitation in range of motion.,The Veteran's right hip limitation of extension is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence supporting a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in previous VA examinations.,Service connection is not granted as there is no credible evidence that the Veteran's current low back or right knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for iliotibial band syndrome, left knee; a low back condition; and a left hip condition were denied. The effective date of the decision is June 21, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to service-connected residuals of right ankle sprain, left foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis of the great toe status post bunionectomy, and right foot hallux valgus with bunions. The decision is based on a finding that the Veteran's current back disability is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural errors and a need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensable evaluation have been denied. The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a lower back disability due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete record review. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service symptoms are considered, but an addendum opinion is needed from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with hyperlordosis is dismissed because the November 2020 and April 2021 rating decisions do not address this issue.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc and bulging disc of the lumbar spine was denied. The claims for eligibility to specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits, and total disability based on individual unemployability were also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's passing, and no further action can be taken on these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of thoracolumbar spine and right knee arthritis due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The appeal as to entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with right hand radiculopathy is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted from December 25, 2006 to May 1, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular rating criteria for a TDIU, and his unemployability is due to his chronic pain conditions. The Board grants TDIU from September 15, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical conditions, including knee, hip, and back issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and a need for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues related to his lumbosacral spine, wrist, and hand disabilities has been dismissed as the claim for headaches was granted in May 2023.