Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of evidence.,The Board is unable to determine when the Veteran first became entitled to benefits as his statements regarding the onset of his conditions are inconsistent.

The Veteran's initial ratings for hypertension and lumbar spine disability were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted an increased rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The initial ratings for LLE and RLE sciatic radiculopathy were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are collectively so severe as to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected, and a 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability remains unchanged.,The Veteran's cluster headaches and vertigo are remanded due to insufficient evidence on their connection to the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, OSA, hypertension, and a back disability have been denied. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions.,Service connection has not been established for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus as they are not related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the submission of new evidence to reconsider claims for lower back and lung conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a coccyx condition and low back condition, finding that there is no current diagnosis of either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to be directly related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bowel incontinence and a compensable rating for lumbar scar, but granted restoration of the Veteran's 20 percent disability rating for his lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in determining his qualifying service periods and a lack of VA examination regarding his lower back symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a lower back condition, and right side sciatica (claimed as secondary to the claimed lower back condition) are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining medical opinions and verifying STRs.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for strain and facet arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that her current back disorder is related to in-service symptoms. The decision also notes that there was no diagnostic imaging during service but consistent treatment records exist.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and back disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence linking his claimed disabilities to service.

The appeal for service connection for a low back disorder (initially claimed as arthritis and chronic pain syndrome) is dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic left shoulder pain and a back condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability is denied. The effective date of service connection for migraine headaches is granted as December 4, 2018.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches are remanded.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 40 percent for the appellant's lumbar spine disability, effective November 2, 2020. The appeal is remanded for further consideration of a TDIU.