Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. Additionally, the claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status is also being remanded due to inextricability with these other claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis.

Service connection for low back pain, diagnosed as degenerative disc changes is granted. Service connection for lumbar pelvic dysfunction is denied. Entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition and a right knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as lumbosacral strain. The Board finds that an effective date of April 25, 2016 is warranted for the Veteran's bilateral lower radiculopathy.,The Veteran also seeks higher disability ratings for his back and leg conditions. The Board finds a remand necessary to determine the current severity of these disabilities.

The appeal is being remanded due to an inaccurate factual premise regarding the MVA and a need for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to July 12, 2023 and 40 percent thereafter. The right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are each rated at 20 percent. The left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent effective January 9, 2017. All other issues related to knee disabilities have been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate or incomplete opinions in previous VA examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lumbar strain to include degenerative disc disease (DDD) is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of her condition. The claim was previously denied in August 2016, and new evidence has been received since then.

Service connection is granted for multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, with spondylosis and IVDS, bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and left hip degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be related to his current conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA medical opinions regarding whether any current low back disorder other than service-connected spina bifida occulta with tethered cord syndrome is proximately due to, or the result of, the Veteran's left knee and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the lumbar spine disability and prostate cancer claims, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to aggravation during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the issues by the Veteran. The remaining issues are remanded and will be addressed further.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and TDIU due to his withdrawal of these claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during service. The Veteran reported multiple in-service injuries, including a flipped bulldozer and motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for dermatitis was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Prior to July 14, 2023, the Veteran's cervical strain is rated at 10 percent. As of July 14, 2023, it is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to an inadequate examination of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, which impacts his ability to work.

The Veteran's traumatic brain injury, headaches, cervical stenosis and arthropathy with radiculopathy status post diskectomy, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease are all granted as service connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The weight of evidence is equally balanced as to whether the Veteran's low back disorder is etiologically related to his service.