Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The neck condition, left upper extremity nerve condition, and right upper extremity nerve condition claims are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of her back condition as secondary to her service-connected left hip conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability, as these conditions are being evaluated to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected left ankle or right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disability, which is presumed to be related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for lumbosacral spine DJD and DDD was denied. Prior to September 26, 2018, the rating was denied as his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation. From September 26, 2018, the rating was also denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a higher than 40 percent evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, sciatic nerve condition of the left lower extremity, and sciatic nerve condition of the right lower extremity.,There is no evidence in the record to support a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a low back disability, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for generalized arthritis disorder, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are denied due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,Right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are also granted as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability.,Residuals of TBI, low back disability, eye disability (to include as due to TBI), and right ankle disability are all remanded for further examination and opinion.,Malaria, heart disability, aortic aneurysm, diabetes mellitus, and sleep disability are also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and medical opinions due to incomplete records, inadequate examination reports, and failure to address certain aspects of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability and a back disability due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity and functional impact of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted. The claim for an increased rating for other specified depressive disorder has also been granted.

The Board has ordered additional development to locate and secure the Veteran's complete military treatment records for all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA with the New Jersey Army National Guard. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private treatment records from Northwest Spine and Wellness Center.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and the need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations. The issues include her lower back condition, left knee meniscus tear, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and her bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent, effective June 28, 2023. The appeal is for a higher rating prior to this date.