Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's gastric ulcer with erosive gastroduodenitis is granted an initial 20 percent rating.,Other service connection claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding his headache disability. The back, vertigo, pulmonary nodule, and thyroid nodules claims were denied as there was no evidence of a service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for bronchial asthma, left shoulder pain, degenerative arthritis of the spine (cervical spine degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease), and major depressive disorder due to a procedural defect in filing the Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted effective dates of July 27, 2021 for the awards of a 20% rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine (back disability), service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's back disorder is granted service connection. The claims for left and right knee disorders, as well as the right ankle disorder, are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Additional examinations will be performed, and the Veteran will be provided with updated VCAA notice.

Service connection is granted for back condition and asthma.,The Veteran's right shoulder, bilateral knee, and headache conditions are remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, disorder manifested by joint pains, digestive disorder, and back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal concerning several service connection issues, including for cervical condition, right lower extremity condition, left lower extremity condition, left ankle condition, left plantar fasciitis, lumbar spine back condition, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and to provide the Veteran with a comprehensive examination for his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and right ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities. The claim for low back pain is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to be less than 30 degrees or have manifested favorable ankylosis.,Service connection for rhinitis (sinus condition) was granted, effective from April 2023.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted, with effective dates of August 24, 2021. The Veteran now has a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain, 20% ratings for left carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical strain, and tinnitus is service connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral or cervical strain (spina bifida, also claimed as chronic, mechanical low back pain) because a supplemental claim was already pending before the AOJ.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve and right femoral nerve are both rated at 10 percent, which the Board also finds insufficient to warrant a higher rating.,Both knee disabilities (left and right patellofemoral pain syndrome) are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board does not find that they meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, neck disability, and back disability due to procedural errors in the VA examinations conducted in February 2022.