Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The claim to reopen a previously denied hip osteoarthritis was granted, but the new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lower lumbar spine, bursitis, asthma, right hip strain, and left hip strain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,The Veteran contends that her current conditions began during or shortly after her military service. The Board finds that further development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection claims and disability rating determinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective December 6, 2023. The Board has granted this rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and cervical spine disability due to procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any lumbar spine disorder, including whether it is related to service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and posterior tibialis tendinopathy.

The Veteran was previously employed as an office manager until November 29, 2021. He is now unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disorder.,Effective from November 29, 2021, the Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Board has denied service connection for visual degradation due to the lack of current disability. The claims for right foot disability, hepatitis C, hypertension, low back disability, and duodenitis are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine osteoarthritis and cervical strain, but has remanded the issues of traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and shoulders due to incomplete evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, elbow, wrist, and low back disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of CUE in prior decisions regarding his service-connected hearing loss, tinnitus, right eye disability, anxiety disorder, thoracolumbar spine disability, hemorrhoids, and left thumb disability should be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's lumbar disability and service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar back strain, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury and has manifested continuously since service. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities, specifically urinary incontinence and other physical conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for lower back and bilateral leg conditions. The claims are now remanded for further examination and determination of whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to scheduling issues and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors and grants this claim. Other claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating. The hip, headache, and GERD issues are REMANDED for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, including retrospective findings in this regard.

The Veteran's initial rating for GERD is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Veteran's back disability is also denied, with an initial rating of 10 percent prior to September 29, 2020, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. Service connection was granted for tinnitus but denied for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep apnea, and ischemic heart disease.