Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was incurred during his active military service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current migraines began during active service. However, the Board denied service connection for a lumbar strain (claimed as degenerative disc disease), concluding that there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent, RLE radiculopathy at 10 percent, and DDD/IVDS of the lumbar spine at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss per VA standards.,The restoration of the 20 percent rating for herniated lumbar disc L5-S1 and compression fracture T12 with degenerative arthritis from May 7, 2019, to the present was granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his range of motion and muscle spasm were within acceptable limits. For the left shoulder disability, new and relevant evidence has been submitted since the last final denial in 2006, allowing the claim to be readjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her lumbar strain is remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the initial rating decision, requiring further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with arthritis was granted, and the effective date is set at July 31, 2020.

The Veteran's OSA and lumbar spine disability are granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The right knee instability is granted a 10% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's herniated disc, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during INACDUTRA in June 2011 when he was performing his duties loading weapons into a truck.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, left sciatic radiculopathy, and right sciatic radiculopathy have been granted with effective dates of August 18, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD was denied as VA received a complete Supplemental Claim on April 23, 2019, which is considered the date of claim.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability and left wrist disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service, but more evidence is needed for a final decision.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective from December 22, 2018, the day after he stopped working due to his disabilities. The appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining allegations of error in this matter.

The Veteran's current back disorder is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it began during active service.,Service connection for a mental health disability (including bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression) is denied. The Board found no evidence of aggravation in-service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, as required by the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with effective dates of August 12, 2019. He is now entitled to a disability rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.