Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as severe degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, became manifest during service and is therefore considered incurred in service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The reduction of the rating for service-connected lumbar disability from 40 percent to 20 percent was improper, and the Veteran's 40 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and lumbosacral strain have been granted. The decision is based on the reopening of the claim due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates has been granted.,Effective from July 23, 2007, the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. Effective from May 10, 2021, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since July 23, 2007. The effective date remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings regarding flare-ups and functional ankylosis. The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20%.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issue of an increased evaluation for chronic gastritis.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an increased rating for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease. The cases are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, right knee condition, and right foot drop disability. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is remanded.,The Veteran's brain tumor and seizures are not found to be related to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, or error in judgement in the Veteran's hospital care, medical treatment, or examination. Service connection for a left foot disability, arthritis, and left knee disability is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for tinnitus, cervical spine strain, lumbar strain and DDD, LLE radiculopathy, LUE radiculopathy, residuals of a chest contusion, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The effective dates for these awards are being reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to comply with the duty to assist and an inadequate statement of reasons or bases. The Veteran is being asked to provide physical therapy records and undergo a VA examination for his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, and the effective date for major depressive disorder remains at September 21, 2018.,For other conditions, including low back disorders, bilateral eye disorders, right hip and knee disorders, and left knee disorders, the appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for various conditions and service connection claims. The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back condition and bilateral sciatic pain due to new legal requirements and need for clarification in the medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, migraine headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) conditions are being remanded for further evaluation due to reported worsening since the last VA examinations in February 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it had its onset in active service and is related to his combat duties.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% since July 19, 2010 and 70% since August 2, 2016. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective from July 19, 2010.,A higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus type 2 is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition. The claim will be further developed and a new opinion will be obtained.

The Veteran's cervical myositis and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with bulging disc are currently rated at 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The initial 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from July 16, 2013 to June 13, 2023 is granted. From June 14, 2023 onwards, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent. The case is REMANDED for further development regarding left lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU.