Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include lower back disability, bilateral sciatica, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnosis and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for his low back disability has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, tinea cruris, a right thumb disability, and a back disability due to the lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no legal authority to adjudicate the merits of the claims at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition and bilateral lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee and foot conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 11, 2010 for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, DDD, and IVDS is granted a 20 percent rating effective March 21, 2023. The other issues are denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, thoracolumbar spine condition, and cervical spine condition are all granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The effective date for the grant of service connection is March 27, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they are no longer relevant with the Veteran's passing.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for back, left ankle, and right ankle disorders have been dismissed. The appeal pertaining to the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder partial rotator cuff tear is remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has also remanded for further examinations and opinions regarding the other claimed conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disability and hepatic steatosis are not service-connected. The appeal for hepatic steatosis is remanded due to a failure to consider all toxic exposure risk activities under the PACT Act.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased rating of lumbosacral strain and service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran needs to be evaluated by a VA examiner to assess his current condition, including potential additional diagnoses such as degenerative disc disease. An addendum opinion is also needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition and his right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's tension type headaches are granted a 50% rating. The left shoulder instability with history of rotator cuff is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A noncompensable rating is granted for left shoulder scars. The low back disability, degenerative arthritis with IVDS, and radiculopathy in both lower extremities are all denied. Ratings in excess of 20% for left knee strain, right knee strain, hemorrhoids, and maxillary sinusitis are also denied. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has determined that the appellant's tinnitus and back disorder are service-connected, but his bilateral hearing loss is not. The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to a failure to obtain a medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia is granted. The claims for left shoulder, low back, right hip, and left knee disorders are remanded due to a pre-decisional error in failing to provide VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar spine due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection for lumbosacral strain with disc bulges, neural foraminal narrowing, joint hypertrophy, and intervertebral disc degeneration.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle conditions. The claims of service connection for low back condition and left hand injury are being remanded.