Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine condition, left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy have been dismissed. The Veteran is granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for his right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for his right hallux valgus and lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is already receiving the maximum rating allowed under current criteria, and a higher rating is not available. For the lumbosacral strain issue, the Board determined there were insufficient examination findings to determine the severity of the disability and thus remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it was manifested within one year of discharge from service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left ankle disability and an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that there was no current evidence of these conditions during or close to the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance on and after February 18, 2020.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted. The Veteran does not have unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. For TDIU, the Veteran has met the schedular requirements with a combined rating of 90% excluding the temporary total rating period.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and sciatic nerve conditions are remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence in the February 2021 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for thoracolumbar spine disability and migraine headaches, as well as the TDIU claim. The issues are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and knee conditions, do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including heart condition, prostate condition, back condition, hydrocele, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found no diagnosed conditions that would support the grant of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for thoracolumbar spine strain service connection was denied as there is no legal basis to assign a date earlier than June 27, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a back disability, finding that new evidence supports the claims. The Veteran's current PTSD is related to an in-service parachute injury, while his back disability is linked to an in-service parachute jump.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for inguinal hernia and lumbosacral or cervical strain due to a lack of an adequate examination in the March 2018 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back condition, finding that her current disability had its onset during active duty and is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if new and relevant evidence has been submitted. The VA received a supplemental claim from the Veteran in December 2019, which included his low back, jaw, and Achilles tendon claims.,The Veteran's low back, jaw, and Achilles tendon claims are remanded due to the lack of VA examinations addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's back disability was granted a 40% rating on or after January 29, 2013. The effective date is not specified as the claim is for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.