Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically related to flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted a 20 percent evaluation prior to July 3, 2007. On or after that date, the evaluation remains at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's low back disability will need further investigation.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a lumbosacral strain and a right knee condition due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee strain, limited flexion of the right knee, IVDS in the lumbar spine, and right shoulder strain. The case will be returned to the RO for readjudication based on all relevant evidence received since the March 2021 Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss based on a theory other than presumptive service connection under the PACT Act. The remaining issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and onychomycosis, as well as TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions addressing all relevant evidence and periods of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that her education and work history did not support a conclusion that she was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disability was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.,The claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened based on new and material evidence. The Board finds that the Veteran's headache disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was remanded.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was remanded.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability was remanded.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) is remanded.,Service connection for a sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were granted with effective dates of October 23, 2001 and February 27, 2001 respectively. The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the original rating decisions that assigned earlier effective dates.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and a separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability. The issue of increased rating for right knee disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed. The claims for service connection for a throat condition, including throat cancer; diabetes mellitus; bilateral knee disabilities; lumbosacral strain; and COPD were all denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion, and additional evidence is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis in service or within one year after service. The Board also found that the current diagnosis is not related to his service, including a fall during National Guard service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.,For TDIU, the Board also denied the claim as there is not sufficient evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted a 20 percent evaluation prior to October 19, 2022 and denied any higher rating thereafter. The appeal is remanded for further action on the issue of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and lower back conditions due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for addendum opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a torn right quadriceps disability and denied service connection for a low back disability. The torn right quadriceps disability is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected left quadriceps disability.