Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and back disability. The evidence did not show these conditions began during or within one year after service.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period prior to October 1, 2013, and granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon the need for aid and attendance (A&A).

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee condition, a left knee condition, and a low back condition secondary to the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions. The evidence supports these determinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further evidentiary development regarding the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar osteoarthritis, specifically addressing flare-ups and additional limitation of range of motion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted since the final March 1980 rating decision. The claims are now remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated hip and nerve conditions, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since April 15, 2013. The Board has granted a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding that his current disability is related to an in-service fall.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and bilateral pinguecula are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including his right knee, left knee, low back, right wrist, finger, and TMJ disorders. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a left knee disorder was granted. Service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while the claims for asthma, seizure disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, and left shoulder disorder/right shoulder disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is caused by her service-connected right hip condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition. Service connection for chronic sinusitis is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, combined with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since June 2, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate development in the prior examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back and left knee disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms will be considered, along with medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his assertions of exposure to environmental toxins and injuries during military service. The cases are now pending before a VA examiner for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. Prior to February 5, 2024, the disability was rated at 20 percent; since then, it has been rated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to October 10, 2018, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development, including obtaining an adequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, missing teeth, and back condition due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee conditions due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.