Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection, while left ear hearing loss does not meet VA disability criteria.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain and hypertension are denied as the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent during the period from May 19, 2020, to December 16, 2022. The VA determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination for service connection of low back pain. The Veteran's lay statements and medical records indicate that his lower back pain began during service, but further evaluation is needed to determine if it is related.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically not having provided a VA examination for service connection of lumbar degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's statements about his symptoms will be considered credible unless inconsistent with medical or other evidence.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 30, 2021 for the 50% rating for bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 30, 2021 for the 30% rating for cervical strain.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 30, 2021 for service connection for left upper extremity of the middle radicular group as part of her cervical strain claim.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 30, 2021 for service connection for right upper extremity of the middle radicular group as part of her cervical strain claim.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 8, 2022 for a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or functional impairment that affects earning capacity.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are found to be at least as likely as not related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was granted on October 20, 2020. The effective date is set at April 28, 2014.

The Veteran's TDIU is based on multiple disabilities, and asthma alone does not meet the percentage standards for a TDIU. The Board refers the claim to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration as to whether any individual disability might result in a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inconsistencies in VA examination reports. A new retrospective VA medical opinion is needed, and a VA Form 21-8940 must be completed by the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and right ankle instability have been denied.,The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition as new and relevant evidence was not received, and the Veteran did not submit any medical records or identify any new VA medical records.

The appeal for a disability rating more than 10 percent for left ankle strain has been dismissed. The appeals for service connection of right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, left hip, and bilateral foot disabilities have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left AC joint osteoarthritis, right AC joint osteoarthritis, lower lumbar spine osteoarthritis, and RLE radiculopathy. The claims were remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors and the claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to an incomplete VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered with the addition of a complete range of motion assessment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider certain evidence. The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but a higher rating is sought.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted effective July 3, 2015.,Effective dates are set based on the date of receipt of the claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder as secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.