Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective May 5, 2013. The VA has also granted increased ratings for his spine and radiculopathy conditions.

The Board has remanded five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left shoulder, elbow, lumbar spine, and hip disabilities, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome. The VA will obtain addendum opinions to address the relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's conditions include PTSD, a painful irritable eye condition, sleep disturbance with mild apnea, headaches, left knee pain, right knee pain, neck pain, numbness and light headedness, right ankle pain, right hip disability, stomach issues (GERD and gastroparesis), degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and hearing loss. The claims are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and migraine disorders. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a back disability, including DISH, degenerative arthritis and DDD, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that secondary service connection could not be established due to lack of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for back and left knee disabilities, as well as SMC at the housebound rate prior to October 29, 2018. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations and a determination regarding TDIU must be made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions were also denied. The decision does not provide a specific rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disability are granted service connection, while the Veteran is awarded a 50% rating for his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected left knee disability has been withdrawn. The issues of service connection for a left hip disorder and a lumbar spine disorder, both secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for prostate, skin, and gastrointestinal disabilities have been granted. The claim for lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as a result of service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and awarded a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The reduction of the disability rating from 10 percent to zero percent for the Veteran's service-connected left sciatic nerve radiculopathy was improper, and restoration of the prior 10 percent rating is granted. A TDIU on a schedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities is granted effective August 8, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is granted. The issues of rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 11, 2020 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for a service-connected lumbar spine condition, and TDIU prior to December 18, 2018 are remanded.

The claim for TDIU prior to November 1, 2012 is dismissed as moot. The claim for TDIU on or after November 1, 2012, based solely on the Veteran's low back disability, is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria and aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding his physical limitations.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5237.,Separate ratings of 10 percent each are granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were granted initial ratings. The rating for the left lower extremity was denied, with a separate grant of a temporary increased rating prior to September 17, 2020.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial increased ratings, but the claim for a separate rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.