Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral restless leg syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck condition, but remanded the lumbar spine condition due to outstanding records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in physical loss or permanent use of hands or feet, severe vision impairment, burn injury, or ALS. Therefore, the criteria for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment benefits are not met.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbosacral muscle strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spondylosis and strain, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis due to a lack of corroborating service treatment records in the Veteran's case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and ratings related to various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric pain syndrome, left hip strain residuals with trochanteric pain syndrome, right shin splints, left shin splints, right knee strain residuals, and left knee strain residuals. The appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis was also withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that it is related to his in-service back injury and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right knee incomplete ligament tear and strain with degenerative arthritis post ACL reconstruction are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's left knee strain and lumbosacral strain are also rated at 10 percent each.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and cannabis use was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent. Other service connection claims were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 11, 2023, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome - lumbar spine associated with left knee strain has been dismissed due to a withdrawal request.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar osteoarthritis and has remanded the issue of service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist. The issues of dental disability, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea are all being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected rhinitis and acne disabilities are currently rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to June 28, 2013, for service connection of his spinal disability. The claim was received on that date and the Board found it appropriate as the effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to consider the appropriate initial evaluations for his service-connected low back disabilities and radiculopathy of the bilateral sciatic nerves, including consideration of whether a higher rating may be assigned under all applicable former and current Diagnostic Codes. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, foot disability (drop foot), hand disability (numbness in the hand), neck disability, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims of eye disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the sciatic nerve have been rated based on their current manifestations. The appeal is remanded for further development.,TDIU on an extraschedular basis has also been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inadequacy of a VA medical examination regarding the severity and functional loss during flare-ups or repeated use of his lumbosacral strain with disc narrowing (claimed as low back pain).

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his low back strain is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the April 2022 VA examination in assessing the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's low back strain disability is granted an increased rating of 20 percent, but no greater. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood due to joint pain of the low back strain, bilateral knees, bilateral shoulders, and left ankle strain is granted a 50 percent initial rating, but no greater.