Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back, knee, foot, and hip conditions, are found to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and lumbar spine disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as the appeal is no longer valid due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's headache syndrome, right knee condition, rhinitis, right shoulder condition, and lumbar spine condition. The conditions are deemed to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was reduced from 40 percent to 20 percent. The Board has restored a 40 percent disability rating, finding that there is no evidence showing improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his conditions are manageable with the help of family members.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, tinea pedis/dermatitis of the bilateral feet, and a bilateral eye condition. The issue of service connection for bilateral cortical cataracts and scotoma is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a cervical spine condition, finding that new evidence supports these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as she does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain remains pending and will be remanded to determine if the criteria for a higher rating are met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in an inability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to May 9, 2020. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due solely to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants because her service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination and nexus opinion regarding the lumbosacral strain condition. The Veteran's service connection claim is being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for back, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service job duties and symptoms that have persisted post-service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 22, 2014, for the award of service connection for a back disability was denied. The Board found that the relevant service treatment records were previously before VA at the time of the November 30, 1983 decision.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability is remanded due to inadequate examination in December 2014 and a need for more contemporaneous examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic branch. The issues were addressed in a prior decision that is final.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the untimely filing of a VA Form 10182 contesting bilateral hearing loss service connection. The rating reduction for back disability was restored to 40 percent effective July 1, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and a right ankle condition due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral sprain and migraines have been granted. The acquired psychiatric disorder remains at a 70% rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active service. The Board noted that while he reported back pain during service in June 1994, subsequent examinations did not show any related issues and treatment records only began after service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and IVDS is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for neurogenic bladder dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected low back pain is granted.