Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been granted. Effective dates are set based on the earliest date of claim or entitlement, with some adjustments due to filing patterns.

The Veteran's right knee disability and IVDS of the lumbar spine are granted, with a rating of 40% for IVDS.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a VA examination by an orthopedist due to the need for more specific information regarding his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The examiner failed to consider the Veteran's lay statements about continuity of pain during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and a need for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The issues include rating increases for lumbar spine disorder, increased rating for LLE radiculopathy, service connection for sleep apnea, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, back, lumbar spine, and neck disabilities have been granted. The claim for migraine headaches is still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of ankylosis assessment, and need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are currently under review.,Service connection has not been established for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lower back disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and migraine headaches have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea claim has been reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for depression, right shoulder disability, lower back (lumbar spine) disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and right ear hearing loss due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a 10% rating assigned for the right knee disability from May 12, 2014 to March 6, 2017. Service connection was established for left knee, right hip, left hip, and back disabilities as secondary to the patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee status post arthroscopy.

Service connection for a heart condition (claimed as heart murmur) is denied.,Service connection for bilateral cataracts is denied.,Service connection for residuals of a right eye corneal abrasion is denied.,Service connection for a bilateral eye condition (diagnosed as pterygium, pinguecula) is denied.,The Veteran's back strain claim remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the February 2023 remand and thus, the appeal must be remanded again. The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability either as directly related to his service or as caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding his Gulf War exposure and related disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been withdrawn, and the appeal as to these issues is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, lumbar, and thyroid disorders due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for GERD and an increased rating for left knee scar were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal of these issues prior to a decision being made.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and residuals of cervical spine disc herniations at C5-6 and C6-7 with narrowing of neural foramina, status post anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery.,Service connection is remanded for a lumbar spine condition and bilateral plantar fasciitis. Service connection is also remanded for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's current low back disability is not shown to be related to his active duty service or any service-connected condition.