Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's low back disability did not require convalescence beyond November 30, 2020. The Board denied the extension of a temporary total evaluation for convalescence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.,The appeals for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have all been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to PTSD and a right knee condition.,VA has determined that new evidence received since previous denials supports the Veteran's claims for anxiety, neck/cervical spine condition, degenerative arthritis, dysthymic disorder, fallen arches, herpes, left knee condition, major depression, migraines, and thoracolumbar spine condition. The right knee condition and PTSD remain under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine strain was dismissed because the Notice of Disagreement was not filed within one year of the October 2008 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been granted, with the effective date set at November 7, 2019.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, finding that his range of motion was at least 60 degrees and did not warrant a higher rating based on functional loss or ankylosis.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from March 1, 2019 to May 13, 2019 and from December 1, 2019 to March 26, 2020 due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder. The remaining issues have been denied as not related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury and bilateral eye disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service. The claim for neck disability is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, hypertrophic gastritis, neck disability, back disability, right shoulder disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, cholelithiasis, hiatal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The Board found that the Veteran's claims were previously adjudicated in a prior appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's back condition is related to his service, including his duties as a firefighter in the Navy.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus are granted for the appeal period beginning on August 10, 2022 under the PACT Act. The back disability is denied.

The Board denied readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic and lumbar spine strain, sinusitis, right shin splints, and left shin splints due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been granted. The claim for IVDS is remanded due to insufficient examination.

The Board has determined that the March 2020 VA examination is inadequate and requires remand to obtain a new examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability may be associated with flare-ups, which need to be assessed for their impact on functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a back disability has been reopened, but the Board has determined that an examination is needed to determine if his current back issues are related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disorders due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset and causation. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again as part of a larger appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to inadequate compliance with a previous remand directive.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for fibromyalgia, right shoulder disability, back disability, and rhinitis due to additional development being required. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further adjudication.

The Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia due to or as a consequence of renal failure. The service-connected conditions, including PTSD, degenerative disc disease, and hypertension, substantially contributed to the cause of his death.