Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, degenerative arthritis, IVDS with spinal stenosis, was granted service connection effective February 26, 2004.,Left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted service connection effective February 26, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including lumbar radiculopathy, was aggravated by her service-connected left knee disability. The evidence is in equipoise regarding this claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability is reopened, and the claims for sleep apnea, back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and TDIU are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to outstanding VA treatment records, including those from the Peru Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), which were not properly transferred. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being examined further to determine its relationship to service or his left shoulder disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection and has determined that he is entitled to service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine with bilateral IVDS, left shoulder arthritis, and right shoulder arthritis. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a low back disability due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete service records. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining an adequate VA medical opinion and additional service records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining relevant treatment records and providing an addendum opinion to supplement a previous DBQ.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, lumbosacral strain, and right leg neuralgia were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lower back disability, including a lumbosacral strain, spondylosis, and facet arthropathy with disc bulges, is granted.,Increased evaluations for right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and secondary service connection for left lower extremity sciatica, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, but has remanded his claims regarding evaluations for lumbar spine and left leg disabilities, as well as service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 30, 2015, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds the Veteran has a diagnosed cervical spine condition, back condition, and bilateral knee conditions that are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The Veteran's headaches are also found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot disorder, dental trauma upper front teeth, residuals of a broken nose, low back disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical records are needed from Social Security Administration, and VA examinations are required for each issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain and stenosis with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD, back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and TBI have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded an increased rating of 70% for his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder and other factors. The VA needs to provide a comprehensive examination and opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and readjudication due to new evidence added to the record after a previous statement of the case (SOC).