Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist strain, right ankle strain, lumbosacral strain, and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and her right hip disability (limitation of extension) is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, including an assessment of lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative joint disease and lumbar strain required surgery on May 18, 2022 which necessitated at least one month of convalescence. The Board granted a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 based on this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for chronic fatigue syndrome, headache syndrome, and lumbar spondylosis have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted a disability rating of 20 percent from February 18, 2020 to February 23, 2023.,A disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the low back disability was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and back disabilities due to incomplete examination reports. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, headaches, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to address his pes planus, thoracolumbar strain, and TBI.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, unspecified depressive disorder, and anxiety due to potential service connection issues.,The VA examination was inadequate in addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, sinusitis, and IBS have been granted. The claim for a back disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine (DDD spine), right leg radiculopathy, and left leg radiculopathy. The decision is based on credible statements from the Veteran regarding his combat injuries and a positive nexus opinion from his treating physician's assistant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hip, cervical spine, and lower back disabilities due to a fall injury during active duty. The VA will obtain medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache, PTSD, and right hip condition have been dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot condition has been granted with a 30% rating. Other issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the disability is already at its maximum schedular rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability under VA regulations.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety, is denied due to lack of a diagnosed current disability conforming to the DSM-5 criteria.,Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is denied as the condition is less likely than not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for revision of the September 1984 rating decision that denied service connection for a low back strain on the basis of CUE has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits, finding that her service-connected disabilities did not render her unemployable prior to May 30, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only. The claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was also denied as there was no evidence of needing regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.