Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a thoracolumbar spine disability due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and providing an adequate nexus opinion. The Veteran will be asked to provide private records of care, and a new examination will be scheduled.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and tension headaches due to insufficient evidence or inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran's claim for loss of teeth for compensation purposes remains denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been reduced to 40 percent from 40 percent and then to 10 percent, with no further increase possible under Diagnostic Code 5239. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's disability rating for her back disability was restored to 40 percent due to a reduction without proper procedures, and the decision is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, stating he is now 100% PCT effective November 29, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his lumbosacral strain, lower extremity radiculopathy, and scars did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, kyphoscoliosis, and multilevel degenerative disease thoracic spine.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that new evidence received after the initial denial is relevant and warrants reconsideration.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to a continuity of symptoms since active duty.,Service connection for the right index finger condition is granted based on in-service injury and subsequent continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for the low back condition is granted due to in-service injuries and continuous symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including back disability, right and left ankle disabilities, right and left shoulder disabilities, plantar fasciitis, and residuals of a fractured bottom right foot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the claims for OSA, low back disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, including the hearing request, before a decision was made. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, sinusitis, and sleep apnea. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disorder and right lower extremity sciatica was partially granted, with a 20% rating for the right lower extremity sciatica. The service connection claim for left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded. The low back disorder claim remains denied.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine status post fusion with associated bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's traumatic brain injury with associated chronic post-traumatic headaches is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and an initial rating of 50 percent for a headache disability, both effective from the date of the May 2018 RAMP opt-in. The decision is based on credible evidence showing that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The issues include PTSD, anxiety, back disability, prostate cancer, intestinal disorder, erectile dysfunction, kidney disorder, and abdominal disability.

The Board has decided service connection for thoracolumbar strain, but the prostate disorder case is remanded due to incomplete records and need for clarification.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's lower back disability is being considered for service connection, with a focus on whether it is related to his in-service injury or aggravated by his service-connected left hip condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not more than 60 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.