Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right lower extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent. The appeal for a higher rating for the lumbosacral strain has been denied.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from April 21, 2018 to January 25, 2021 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the examination reports and a need for additional evidence, specifically an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine strain, bilateral knee disability, right ankle sprain, lumbar spine strain, tinnitus, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, prevent him from securing substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on the cumulative effects of these conditions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his appeals, including the ones for increased disability evaluations and service connection. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, left leg disability, and pelvis pain due to a lack of STRs and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination and potential missing private medical records, which could affect the determination of service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and back conditions due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another, nor are they severe enough to result in permanent bedridden status.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right elbow condition, right ankle condition (including Achilles tendonitis), right shoulder condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, and back condition. The Board also found that bilateral pes planus began during active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, GERD, degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, and ED. The PTSD claim was granted with an increased rating to 70%. The hearing loss claim remains denied.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and an initial 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus. The Board also remanded issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for right and left knee iliotibial band syndrome, as well as service connection for a back 'condition' and a left hip 'condition'. The Board found there was an inferred claim for TDIU based on a private medical opinion indicating the Veteran could not work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional opinions regarding service connection for low back disorder, thoracolumbar muscle spasm, and neck disorder due to lack of adequate opinions addressing aggravation by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and headache disability due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety, including the issues of service connection for low back disorder, erectile dysfunction, right leg radiculopathy, and left leg radiculopathy.

The Veteran's chronic low back condition is granted as service connected, with the onset during active military service from August 3, 2018 to August 24, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The claims for evaluations of 40 percent, but not in excess thereof, for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities were granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, and bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability found to be related to military service.

Effective dates of August 15, 2020 are granted for service connection for various knee and back conditions.