Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and nephropathy with hypertension; bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves; bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; and a lumbar spine disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU for the entire period of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right hip arthritis is related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service injury or disease and no established continuity of symptomatology. The current disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded his claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his service-connected thoracolumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being needed, including a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability due to his failure to attend VA examinations and instability in his residence. The case is being returned for further development, including scheduling a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and a condition claimed as swollen glands, finding no evidence of causation or aggravation by service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar strain, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain have been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating in any of these cases.,The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent disabling based on forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees and combined range of motion of at least 120 degrees. The evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent disabling based on painful motion with full extension to at least 65 degrees, including during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time. The evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent disabling based on painful motion with full extension to at least 80 degrees, including during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time. The evidence does not support a higher rating.,On or after July 14, 2016, the Veteran's right ankle strain is currently rated at 10 percent disabling based on painful motion with dorsiflexion to at least 9 degrees and plantar flexion to at least 20 degrees. The evidence does not support a higher rating.,On or after July 14, 2016, the Veteran's left ankle strain is currently rated at 10 percent disabling based on painful motion with dorsiflexion to at least 9 degrees and plantar flexion to at least 20 degrees. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's jaw disability is granted service connection. The lumbar spine, right wrist, and right hand disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a respiratory disorder and thoracolumbar spine (low back) disorder due to inadequate medical examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and back disorders have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and IVDS is rated at 40 percent, effective April 13, 2023. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back pain and whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left toe condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 30 percent rating prior to April 4, 2023 and denied any higher rating. From April 4, 2023, the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating than 30 percent. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU from January 1, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for OSA was granted with an effective date of October 31, 2013. The rating for the right-hand little finger injury remains noncompensable. The claims for eczema and low back strain are remanded.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, while the frostbite residuals of the bilateral feet are remanded for further review.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service, given that there was not substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the conditions. The claim for a low back condition was reopened, but not granted as there is no medical opinion linking it to service.

The Veteran's lung cancer, right knee strain, and left knee strain are not service-connected. The lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings in several service-connected disabilities are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.