Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's neck disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective June 14, 2016. The Board has remanded the issue of a higher rating for his cervical spine disability.,Effective June 14, 2016, service connection was granted for depressive disorder associated with a neck disability and migraine headaches associated with a neck disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her low back disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 19, 2021. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been withdrawn.,New evidence received since the last final denial supports reopening of claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations of the Veteran's shoulder and spine disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for a low back disorder due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination and lack of consideration of the Veteran's reported symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar radiculopathy, left lower extremity was denied. The RO also remanded claims related to scars from breast reduction and left knee chondromalacia.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability that meets VA criteria.,PTSD and lumbar spine disability ratings are remanded due to the need for updated examinations.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder conditions, right and left-hand carpal tunnel, lower back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and left hip status post joint replacement due to outstanding medical records and a need to verify the qualifications of the June 2022 VA examiner.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral feet, skin condition, back disability, diabetes, and diabetic retinopathy. The claims are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the cervical spine during the appeal period and denied service connection for this condition. The lumbar spine issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis was rated at 20 percent from October 3, 2008 to November 13, 2011. The rating was increased to 40 percent effective November 14, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and scars, back, status post shave biopsy were denied. The rating for degenerative arthritis was not granted as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied due to lack of evidence. New and material evidence has not been received since the last denial.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was reopened as new and material evidence related to his current diagnosis was submitted.

The Board found that the Veteran is currently employed as a police officer, which means he cannot meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip disabilities, and degenerative disc disease to include degenerative arthritis of the lower back. The issues are related to whether these conditions had their onset during military service or are otherwise causally or etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted an initial 10 percent rating effective September 29, 2017.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and hypertension have all been granted with effective dates of September 29, 2017.,Service connection for a left knee disability has not been established.,Service connection for a right knee disability has not been established.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (social anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for left foot metatarsalgia, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to insufficient development.,Further investigation is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.