Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and bilateral hearing loss due to pre-decisional errors in the initial determinations.

The Veteran's effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is granted as March 9, 2020. The Board found the Veteran was permanently and totally disabled on that date.

The Veteran's lower back disorder is granted as service-connected, while the stomach or esophagus disorder claim is dismissed due to lack of a timely Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right leg radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings. The left patellofemoral pain syndrome and residuals of the right fibula stress fracture are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease from August 14, 2018. The effective date of this decision is August 14, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is static and does not show material improvement for more than five years, thus making a permanent rating possible.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disorders, along with associated radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to work since March 8, 2019. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision, leaving no issues for review.

The Veteran's appeal of the reduction in evaluation of her service-connected lumbosacral strain from 40 percent to 20 percent has been dismissed because she withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's intent to file a claim for service connection for bilateral thoracolumbar spondylolisthesis was received on December 7, 2022. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at this date.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, anxiety, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the right ankle, and osteoarthritis of the right hip as secondary to pes planus (severe), hammer toes, hallux valgus.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder as secondary to pes planus (severe), hammer toes, hallux valgus.

The Veteran's Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and GERD have been granted increased ratings to 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively. The decision also found that the Veteran's disability picture is functionally equivalent to favorable ankylosis for DDD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the current level of impairment.,Further VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a recurrent sinus disability and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's moderate spondylosis without acute bony abnormality and degenerative disc disease L5-S1 in his lower back were found to be incurred during service. The Veteran's eating disorder and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and anxiety) are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and right wrist sprain were denied. The evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for post traumatic headaches, right shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective November 14, 2019. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date of June 21, 2017 were met.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disk disease, chondromalacia patella of the left knee, and chondromalacia patella of the right knee, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip bursitis and lumbosacral strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for various conditions and service connection, as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in writing.