Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence for a direct service connection and an opinion on whether the Veteran's back disability was aggravated by his service-connected bilateral feet disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded several issues related to back, headaches, diabetes mellitus, cerebral ischemia (transient), cardiomegaly (syncope), angioedema, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU. The evaluation in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea is remanded due to lack of recent examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 24, 2023 and denied for a higher rating. From August 24, 2023, the disability is rated at 40 percent and also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis, finding that it was incurred in or caused by active-duty service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it lacks jurisdiction to review the issue of an earlier effective date for service connection of a back disability.

The Veteran's back disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each since August 30, 2010. The TDIU claim from August 30, 2010 to May 3, 2011 was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in or relation to military service. The Veteran is directed to provide authorization for release of any relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records from his orthopedic doctor and gastroenterologist.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back conditions due to a lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent, effective January 13, 2014. Separate ratings of 20 percent have also been granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected lumbar disability.,A separate rating is granted for each leg's radiculopathy as a result of the service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding whether the Veteran's back condition preexisted service and was aggravated by service. The case will be further developed with a supplemental opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted. Additionally, his claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was also granted.

Service connection for cervical spine DDD and left upper extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed. Service connection for insomnia, including as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine DDD and left upper extremity radiculopathy, is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. However, the issue of whether his current low back disability is related to his active service remains pending as it requires additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back and hip disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's temporary total disability rating claim was denied as there is no evidence of one or more months of convalescence following his surgeries.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the current severity of his cervical spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis, radiculopathy, and other conditions. The issues include increased ratings for these disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for a back disability and sleep disability due to inadequate VA examinations.