Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for back and right knee conditions have been dismissed as the claims were not properly submitted on the required forms.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and testicular pain, but denied service connection for a prostate disability.

The Veteran's lumbar microdiscectomy surgery resulted in a one-month doctor-mandated convalescence period from October 27, 2020 to November 30, 2020. The Board granted the temporary total disability rating based on this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and Crohn's disease due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred these conditions during his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 27, 2023. The Board has determined that a TDIU is warranted beginning on this date. However, the AOJ must correct any duplicate ratings for his service-connected conditions and refer the case to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU prior to July 27, 2023.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting lumbar spine disability, including scoliosis, was aggravated during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for right knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of new and relevant evidence presented within one year of the July 2015 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition as aggravated by his service-connected left knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking to have the effective dates for his service-connected conditions and TDIU revised due to a claimed error in the original rating decisions. The Board has determined that these claims should be remanded for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition. The claims of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for back, kidney, headache, left leg numbness, and right leg numbness conditions are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine, finding that it was caused by in-service responsibilities as a postal service crewman, including carrying heavy packages and equipment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 25, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed. He was granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for their back disability has been denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) as there is insufficient evidence regarding the combined effect of service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and will schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability, including whether it manifests in the functional equivalent of ankylosis.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 26, 2008 for the award of both an extraschedular TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits under chapter 35 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's tension headaches are caused by his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and paraspinal muscle strain, cervical strain.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip conditions, bilateral pes planus, and a back strain. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements and medical opinions that his current conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not prevent him from securing or following substantial gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, lower back disorder, and bilateral foot disorder due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.