Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for various disabilities, including right and left knee conditions, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and a thumb condition. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the Veteran that raises reasonable doubt about whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as she has maintained employment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and back conditions, precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to July 9, 2018.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral foot disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for each of the Veteran's claimed disabilities were inadequate and remanded to obtain addendum opinions addressing the etiology of the conditions. The claims are now being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and whether there was a post-service event, injury, or illness that caused his current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back condition, as secondary to her service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis (foot condition). The decision is based on insufficient competent medical evidence and the need for an examination to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and her claimed disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The low back disability claim is remanded due to new evidence being submitted after the February 2020 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is directly related to his service or secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted a 20% rating, effective June 18, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence following surgery on his lumbar spine, as there was no service-connected disability that necessitated such an evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being obtained since the last decision in 2020. The Veteran's updated VA treatment records need to be reviewed and considered.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues with determining whether pre-existing acquired psychiatric and low back disabilities were aggravated by active duty service. The Veteran's testimony will be considered in forming these opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The Board is seeking more information on the severity of her lumbosacral strain, the nature of her cervical spine condition, and whether her bilateral ankle and shoulder conditions are related to service or secondary to other disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, IBS and dyspepsia have been granted service connection.,Further examination is needed to determine the nature of any additional musculoskeletal disorders affecting the Veteran's lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to Agent Orange and other toxic substances during service. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed in light of the PACT Act, which requires VA to provide a disability examination and medical nexus opinion when a veteran submits a compensation claim and has evidence of a disability and participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran's hearing loss and back disability claims are remanded for additional development. The shoulder condition claims are also remanded, but the nature of the left shoulder condition is unclear.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations of his service-connected low back and related lower extremity radiculopathy disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right knee conditions, low back condition, headache condition, and obstructive sleep apnea, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD due to military sexual trauma is granted as service-connected. The other issues are remanded for further development.