Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for further evidence. The reduction of a rating from 20 percent to 10 percent for lumbar spine DJD was improper, and the 20 percent rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and migraines due to insufficient evidence in the March 2011 and December 2014 VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination to determine if her current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, and depression. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and address any pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, with a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,Service connection for thoracolumbar spine condition (lower back condition) is denied.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve neuropathy ratings for both lower extremities were restored, but her spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease claim remains pending.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings in both lower extremity sciatic nerve neuropathies and spinal stenosis are still under review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete military records and inadequate VA opinions, requiring further investigation into the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's migraine disability is rated at 50 percent from December 10, 2015. The rating reflects very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings as he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The appeal regarding periodontal disease, back disability, gastrointestinal disability, and acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain relevant private treatment records and to clarify VA medical opinions regarding the severity of the appellant's disabilities during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance with respect to whether an evaluation of 40 percent is warranted. The decision does not address service connection theory or exposure basis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis with spondylosis of the lumbar spine (claimed as pain) is granted based on a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and further development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. Service connection was also granted for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and sinusitis.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and a chronic back disorder.,Further development is required as per the PACT Act requirements.

The Veteran's right and left knee meniscal tears with dislocated semilunar cartilage are rated at 20 percent each, effective September 24, 2019. The Veteran's left knee instability is also rated at 10 percent, effective September 24, 2019. However, the lumbosacral strain to include degenerative arthritis of the spine remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability (diagnosed as IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the spine) based on evidence showing that it began during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that there is a need for additional medical examination and opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's low back disabilities, particularly whether they are related to service or caused by his service-connected bilateral flat feet.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.