Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and right arm disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded two issues: the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability and his claim for a separate disability rating for bladder impairment, which is secondary to his lumbar spine disability. The remand requires additional examination and opinion regarding these claims.

The Veteran's claim for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) has been granted, with the condition believed to have started during service.,Service connection was denied for a nose injury and respiratory disorder due to lack of evidence supporting their existence or association with service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to errors in previous opinions. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant requested withdrawal of all issues, including the one regarding a disability rating for lumbar spine strain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability at any point approximate to or after filing her October 2015 claim.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee, shin splints (left and right legs), and lower back disabilities. The VA examinations obtained in December 2022 are inadequate and require further clarification.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis and strain residuals are granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for cancer of the head and neck, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired vision disability are remanded.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is granted a disability rating of 40 percent effective June 30, 2016. The claim for an increased rating from January 17, 2023, is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of asthma. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric condition including major depression disorder, low back disability (degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy), and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's low back condition and its relationship to service-connected MDD. Additional medical opinions are needed to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of opinions regarding service connection for prostate, back, and bladder disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc and joint disease is rated at 20 percent effective September 26, 2018. Service connection for right hip disability, right thigh disability, left hip disability, and left thigh disability are denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including degenerative arthritis, finding that symptoms had onset in service and have continued to the present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability, or left knee disability. The claim for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's service connection claims are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and insufficient evidence linking any claimed disabilities to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder tenosynovitis, and left knee/tenosynovitis disabilities are rated at the maximum schedular ratings. The psychiatric disability is granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain residuals, tinnitus, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertensive vascular disease (high blood pressure) is dismissed.,A 70 percent initial rating, but no higher, is granted for PTSD from December 2, 2018.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS is granted a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of the appeal. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation based on back surgeries performed in February and May 2011 is denied because the award of service connection for his low back disability was effective before these surgeries.