Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced pain during Airborne training in service and has had these conditions since then.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural errors and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances were denied because the evidence did not show that her knee braces or cane caused damage to her outer garments, and shoes are not considered clothing for VA purposes.,The Veteran was found to have multiple service-connected disabilities including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, bilateral hearing loss and bronchitis, right and left knee conditions, tinnitus, and radiculopathy. However, the evidence did not show that her knee braces or cane caused damage to her outer garments.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the April 2020 proposed reduction of ratings for service-connected conditions was not an adjudicative determination and thus no question of law or fact is presented.

The Veteran's UTI disability requires intermittent intensive management, including intermittent prescription antibiotics use when she has a UTI. Her disability does not require drainage, frequent hospitalization or continuous intensive management, nor manifest in renal dysfunction or bladder or urethral fistulae.,For the left hip and right hip disabilities, the VA examinations did not provide information on the onset of pain during range of motion testing.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 22, 2020, for a 40 percent evaluation of his back disability with scoliosis.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on several issues have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of those appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates of February 1, 2019. The conditions are deemed to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 18, 1990 for the grant of service connection for scars is denied as the date of entitlement arose on that date.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were granted effective November 13, 2017.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at a 20 percent rating, but no higher, based on the evidence showing forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar disability (back injury) is found to be related to his active-duty service.,His right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are determined to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability began in service and has continued since then, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are dismissed as the March 2021 rating decision was not an initial decision in the AMA and thus, the appeal must be dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The issues include low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, effective January 1, 2021.,Entitlement to a rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, left hip strain, right hip strain, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (back condition) on a presumptive basis due to service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is at least as likely as not related to active service and has ordered a VA examination to provide a more definitive opinion.