Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, and hypertension due to new evidence submitted since the August 2019 rating decision. The Veteran's stressor statement provided in March 2020 was considered, along with VA treatment records and a VA examination, which supported reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back disorder was dismissed because the Notice of Disagreement was not filed within one year from the date of the July 2003 decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability, all secondary to service-connected left ankle disability. Additional development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The appellant has withdrawn all appeals related to various conditions, including scar from fibular fracture repair and right knee strain. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine including bilateral sacroiliitis with sclerosis of the sacroiliac joints was denied. The Board has determined that an updated VA examination is needed to properly rate this disability, specifically whether separate ratings are warranted for associated neurological disability (radiculopathy).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of L4-5 and L5-S1 with spondylolisthesis and retrolisthesis, which was previously denied. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service complaints and treatment.

The Veteran's back disability and TDIU were granted in a December 2021 Board decision, but the appellant is not permitted to charge fees for his representation of the Veteran on these issues due to an incomplete fee agreement submission.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis (claimed as lumbar sprain) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and DEA for the period beginning January 30, 2017 due to service-connected disabilities that precluded substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for hearing loss or disability of the cervical spine, and denied all other claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left knee osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome due to new and relevant evidence submitted since previous rating decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical and thoracolumbar spine injuries, as well as an increased rating for residuals of fracture of the right patella with arthritis, were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or onset within one year of separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain. The claims of right foot and left foot disabilities are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a thoracolumbar spine condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a low back sprain, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar strain and has remanded her service connection claim for a cervical spine disorder. The case is now pending with the AOJ to obtain necessary medical opinions and adjudicate both issues.

The Veteran's claims for a back disorder, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, chronic sinus infections, right shoulder disorder, and squamous cell carcinoma.,PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of left knee, right knee, and low back pain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions. The appellant's left shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, right hip, left hip, and bilateral foot disabilities are being reviewed.