Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for a right wrist disorder, foot disorder, ulcer residuals, lumbar spine disorder, and dry eye syndrome. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve have all been granted initial ratings.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has also been granted from December 16, 2012.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS and spinal stenosis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, and degenerative joint disease of the right hip are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions were aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic left foot disability, chronic right foot disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizoaffective disorder), chronic lumbar spine disorder, chronic cervical spine disorder, chronic left shoulder disorder, chronic left knee disorder, chronic right knee disorder, chronic left ankle disorder, and chronic right ankle disorder. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, vertigo, and OSA due to lack of a current diagnosis in some cases or insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted a 40 percent rating for the entire appeal period, effective December 4, 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee strain and tendonitis/tendinosis, as well as a functionally impairing low back disability. The decisions are based on direct service connection due to in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is causally related to his service, including his combat service in Iraq and his duties as an ammunition technician. As such, the claim for service connection for a back disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain has been denied. The evidence does not support an increase to this level.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has also been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, along with his nonservice-connected disabilities, do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,Right and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities were granted increased disability ratings of 40 percent each from January 28, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for degenerative arthritis, left knee was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for degenerative arthritis, right knee was denied.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for psychiatric disability is denied, and the claim of entitlement to a TDIU is remanded due to pre-decisional errors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left leg, and right leg conditions due to a lack of medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claimed neck, back, and neurological disorders are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and right side of face injury were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to April 20, 2013, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was denied due to her having been employed in substantially gainful occupations prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not directly related to his in-service injury in 1981.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, a lumbar disability, and a migraine disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bone and endocrine disorders, right and left dry eye syndrome, cervical spine DDD, foot osteoarthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, and right shoulder radiculopathy, have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disease or injury during service that could be linked to the current conditions.