Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support the claim. The Board concluded that the current lumbar spine disabilities are less likely than not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for further hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, radiculopathy of lower extremities, neck disability and associated radiculopathy, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disability due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and a TDIU prior to January 31, 2020 has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, right lower extremity sciatica / radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatica / radiculopathy. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were caused by service.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease, effective from January 11, 2017. The decision finds that the disability more nearly approximates flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim.,The Board also denied service connection for a low back condition, concluding that the preponderance of evidence does not support the claim.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection.,For her back disability, the Veteran is seeking a higher rating but the evidence does not support an increase beyond 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the severity of his lumbar spine disability, specifically addressing functional impairment during flare-ups and whether such approximates or constitutes ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a low back disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD to allow for further development of evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, thoracic spine disability, and lumbar spine (low back) disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in a VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and earlier effective date for service connection of his back disability was denied. The rating for the lower spine prior to September 29, 2020 is denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missing medical records and a need for clarification from the Veteran regarding her military status on the date of a letter submitted in 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerves, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerves, and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities has been dismissed due to withdrawal of claims by the Veteran and his attorney.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to gait changes caused by service-connected varicose veins. The remand requires additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by the service-connected varicose veins.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and type II diabetes mellitus were not incurred in service, and the Board denied these claims.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hernia or low back disorder that is related to his military service.