Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and potential procedural errors. The Board will seek additional information from VA medical professionals.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active service.,The Veteran's right wrist tendon strain, right ankle tendonitis, and lumbar disability are remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate examination reports.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to incomplete VA records not being obtained.

The Veteran's initial claim for a lumbar spine disability was granted in March 2002 with a 20% rating. The Board increased the rating to 40% effective May 3, 2023. TDIU was also granted from May 1, 2009, to March 19, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lower back condition was dismissed because he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The July 17, 2019 rating decision was revised to grant service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and flat feet due to errors in applying presumptive service connection provisions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as the evidence did not show that his diabetes required more than one daily insulin injection and a restricted diet. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

A disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from March 23, 2020 to May 11, 2020 has been granted.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 22, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both the right and left lower extremities.,New evidence received since the last decision supports the Veteran's claims, including his contention that his current conditions are related to an injury sustained during military service.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent since September 27, 2020. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 5242.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral wrist disabilities (right and left), and right ankle disability have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and other claims were generally granted, with some issues being denied or having their ratings adjusted. The decision covers various conditions including RLS, PTSD with TBI, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, herpes simplex virus, cervical spine DDD, tarsal tunnel syndrome, knee pain syndromes, and thumb sprain.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition and left hip pain, finding that these conditions are causally related to her in-service injuries.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period beginning May 1, 2020, as he has a combined disability rating of 100% due to service-connected disabilities and was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his current condition and service or within one year of separation.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine spondylolysis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's preexisting back conditions were found not to be aggravated by his military service.,Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's cervical spine condition as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or event that could have caused it.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran could perform activities of daily living with minor assistance or reminders from his spouse, and there is no evidence indicating he required regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes, heart disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence received. The claims for left shoulder, lumbar spine, right foot, and left foot disorders are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the effective loss or permanent loss of use of his right upper extremity and legs, which qualifies him for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure secondary to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are also being remanded.