Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety, was granted service connection. Left ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction were also granted. However, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee flexion limitation, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and hypertension are denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus is not met.

The Veteran's neck condition, claimed as C-6, 7, 8 compression, is remanded for further evaluation.,Issues of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are also remanded.

The Board has found that the remand directives have not been substantially complied with and is requesting additional VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder prior to June 5, 2017. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the remanded issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, depression (secondary to physical conditions/persistent migraine headaches), recurrent sinusitis and rhinitis with mucus retention cyst, and status post hemorrhoidectomy has been granted. The rating for the status post hemorrhoidectomy remains at noncompensable.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease (lumbar DJD) is granted an increased rating of 40 percent, effective September 17, 2014. The left hip bursitis is also granted an increased rating of 30 percent, effective the same date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment beginning November 16, 2013. A TDIU on extraschedular basis was granted for the period from November 16, 2013, to March 4, 2014.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and levoscoliosis is being remanded due to procedural issues related to the appeal form used.

The Veteran's ascending aortic aneurysm is rated at 100% effective February 16, 2016. His hypertension is rated at 20%. The remaining conditions are all rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back disability was denied, and the Board granted a TDIU from June 29, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disorder and left knee disorder to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions will be evaluated, along with his in-service duties as an Aircraft Fuel Systems Technician.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation higher than 20 percent for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with residual erectile dysfunction has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no direct evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence of continuity of symptomatology from service.

The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated, with some issues remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right shoulder, right knee, naval hernia, bladder incontinence, anxiety disorder, and back disability, are not service-connected as they do not have a direct causal relationship to her active duty service.

The Veteran's left elbow disability is granted service connection. For the period on appeal, her back disability was rated at 40 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with annular tear and increased to 20 percent for sciatic nerve radiculopathy in both lower extremities prior to October 18, 2023.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims for various disabilities, including heart disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, stroke, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, kidney disease, left knee disability, liver disease, neck disability, radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities, skin disability with trophic changes, and tinnitus. The claims are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, and a new examination is required.