Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions regarding his service-connected left knee disability, as well as his claimed right knee, hip, and lumbar radiculopathy disabilities. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claim for recurrent lumbar spine injury residuals including degenerative disc disease is granted. The claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities are remanded, as is the hearing loss claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (back disorder) is denied. The Board found that from October 2, 2017, the criteria for a higher initial disability rating have not been met or more nearly approximated.

The Veteran's vertigo, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis with radiculopathy), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic memory loss disability, chronic headache disability, major depressive disorder, right foot disability, right knee disability, arthritis, left foot disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are not supported by evidence of record.,The Veteran's service connection claims for vertigo, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis with radiculopathy), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic memory loss disability, chronic headache disability, major depressive disorder, right foot disability, right knee disability, arthritis, left foot disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are denied.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, hip, and leg disabilities, as well as a sleep condition, all of which are claimed to be related to the Appellant's time in active military service.,Service connection was not established for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions have been granted. The Board found that the evidence established a link between each condition and active service.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain with DJD and IDVS is rated at 40 percent for the entire appeal period, reflecting a moderate disability level.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Effective January 10, 2021, he is granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining additional private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed back and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral foot disorder, low back disorder, and arthromyalgia. The Veteran's service records show he had pain in his feet, back, and joints during service, but further examination is required to establish a current diagnosis and its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee, left knee, neck, back, sleep, constipation, and bilateral foot disabilities. The remand requires obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's reactive airway dysfunction syndrome is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and low back disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, trigger finger deformity of the left thumb, and trigger finger deformity of the left ring finger due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee conditions as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The Veteran's obesity is also considered an intermediate step in this causal chain.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (claimed as back condition) has also been granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and left knee disability have been granted. The specific diagnoses include degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and left knee disability, respectively.

Service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain has been granted.,Service connection for bilateral hip iliopsoas tendonitis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and left elbow condition have been granted. Service connection for right shoulder condition is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and migraine headache disability, as well as TDIU, are being remanded due to outstanding records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right hip and left hip disabilities, diabetes, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently receiving a 20% rating for his lumbar spine disability.