Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was not productive of forward flexion to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion to 120 degrees or less, or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour prior to March 2, 2020. From March 2, 2020 onwards, the disability was not productive of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis, or its functional equivalent.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was manifest by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis and his left lower extremity radiculopathy was also manifest by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as service-connected, with a current disability rating of at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.,An initial 50% disability rating for migraine headaches is granted, based on very frequent and completely prostrating attacks.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back, neck, left leg, right leg, left hand neurological, left hand (other than a left hand neurological disability), right hand, left arm neurological, left arm (other than a left arm neurological disability), right arm, head injury, collarbone, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to the absence of service treatment records. The Veteran's statements regarding an in-service explosion are considered credible.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for a thoracic spine disability. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with new evidence and an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his DDD of the lumbar spine was remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the extent and frequency of his symptoms, with some examinations indicating he could function without significant limitations while others noted flare-ups resulting in bed rest.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for lower back and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for both conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent from October 23, 2020 and a higher rating for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the severity and functional loss of the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and the need for additional development of medical evidence regarding the severity and impact of the Veteran's back, right ankle, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the competency of the VA medical examiner who provided a negative nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequacies in prior examinations and the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's back condition and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the back condition receiving a grant of service connection and the PTSD being rated at 70 percent effective March 9, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left and right sciatic radiculopathy, each as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating effective July 1, 2017. His left knee limitation of flexion is also rated at 20 percent from the same date.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to August 18, 2020, and from that date forward is dismissed.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a left wrist disability has been granted due to new evidence received since October 2005.,The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right wrist median neuropathy and bilateral foot disabilities prior to August 18, 2020 is remanded.,The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his heel spurs of the left and right feet are remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral flat foot disability from August 18, 2020 is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, and right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy are all rated at 20 percent since January 6, 2018. A TDIU is granted from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for genital herpes is granted. The claims for service connection for human papillomavirus (HPV), thoracic spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder. The psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not service-connected because the evidence does not establish that it originated during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in a previous VA addendum opinion and the need for an updated medical examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's upper back and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his bilateral hand disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left foot disability. The primary reason for the remand is to reschedule a VA examination for the Veteran's upper back and lumbar spine disabilities.