Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, left cervical radiculopathy, right cervical radiculopathy, left lumbar radiculopathy, and right lumbar radiculopathy have been granted with effective dates of June 19, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, cervical spine, left knee, and back disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that is related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral strain, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, and right knee strain with tendonitis/tendinosis due to duty-to-assist errors in prior VA examinations.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was restored to 20 percent effective June 1, 2020. The initial compensable ratings for hypertension and hearing loss were denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current condition began during or as a result of his active service. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, and lower back condition were denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis and vertebral fracture, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted effective July 5, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded his claims for service connection for back disorder, sleep apnea, headaches, and painful joints.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is dismissed as the benefit has already been granted. The Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and his claims for bilateral knee disabilities and back disability are remanded due to inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence presented by the Veteran during his hearing. The claims will be reconsidered with a focus on the Veteran's statements regarding the onset of his conditions during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine condition and dextroscoliosis, thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities of degenerative joint disease of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the right knee with painful flexion, degenerative joint disease of the right knee with instability, and pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 29, 2020 for a 40 percent disability evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition worsened prior to his claim.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 22, 2017 for both the TDIU and DEA benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 25, 2019 for various service connection and increased rating claims. The Veteran's original claim was filed through his local Veterans Service Officer (VSO) on January 25, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions, particularly those related to toxic exposures in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his back disability has been denied as the evidence does not show IVDS or ankylosis, and his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that the earliest allowable date is July 3, 2019.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left sciatic nerve disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms, which were considered to be moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to determine if any of her conditions are associated with active duty or inactive duty training.