Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease and left leg radiculopathy were denied. The initial rating of 10 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease was upheld, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as he has not had a single disability rated at 60 percent disabling, or a disability rated at least 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for a low back disability, including whether it is related to service or secondary to service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for low back disability was denied higher than 40 percent from August 5, 2005 to November 9, 2008 and from December 11, 2008 through June 10, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and related issues are being remanded due to the need to obtain non-VA medical records from West University Wellness and Westchase Health and Rehabilitation Center, which have not been associated with the claims file. The AOJ is instructed to readjudicate the claims after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's kidney disability is granted on a direct basis due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to September 30, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or during the presumptive period, and the Veteran's current symptoms did not correlate with his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle condition, left ankle condition, lumbar strain, and left knee condition as secondary to his service-connected right and left foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and spondylosis (neck condition) due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, with some issues being remanded.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability may be related to his active duty service, but more evidence is needed to clarify this relationship and determine if it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted with effective dates of October 1, 2010, and February 9, 2018 respectively. The effective date for the award of TDIU is based on his inability to work due to service-connected disabilities since at least October 1, 2010. The effective date for DEA benefits was determined based on the Veteran's permanent total service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinion provided in December 2021 was inadequate and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected low back disability caused or aggravated his obesity, which may have contributed to his OSA. The examiner must provide opinions on causation and aggravation of obesity by the service-connected low back disability.

Effective August 14, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathies of the upper extremities are granted. Effective November 19, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies of the lower extremities are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, upper back and lower surgical scars, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the LLE were granted effective March 17, 2021. The Board denied earlier effective dates as there was no evidence to support such.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities manifested by muscle pain in the shoulders and low back, finding no credible evidence of such conditions during or proximate to his claim filing.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and separate ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis, asthma, sleep apnea, back condition, neck condition, flat foot/pes planus, and hypothyroidism, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral eye condition and bilateral plantar fasciitis are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's left knee disability and right knee disability are remanded due to inadequate examination, and the Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability is also remanded.

Your service connection for a low back disability has been granted. Your hearing loss rating was reduced from 40% to 20%, but the reduction is being remanded due to procedural issues. Your TDIU claim is also being remanded.