Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, initial compensable rating for right little finger disability, and entitlement to service connection for low back disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis meeting VA criteria. For his right little finger disability, a noncompensable rating remains appropriate due to the lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis. Service connection for low back disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's degenerative joint disease with spondylosis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board notes that an examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, finding that the preexisting condition was aggravated by service.,Service connection for chronic lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (lumbar spine arthritis) is also granted based on continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted service connection, with a maximum disability rating of 30%.,Her migraine headaches are granted an increased disability rating to 50%, the highest possible under current criteria.

The Veteran's cervical strain is rated at 10 percent before October 6, 2023, and 20 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 10 percent before October 6, 2023, and 20 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's OSA was incurred during service, if it is at least as likely as not caused by his weight gain due to his back disability, and if so, whether it would have occurred without the aggravation of obesity from his back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after active service and concluding that any current back disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain recent private treatment records regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for major depressive disorder is denied. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back disability, finding that it was a congenital condition and not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder is granted, with no specific rating assigned and no effective date provided.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his inability to report for VA examinations and failure to provide prison medical records. The Veteran is required to submit or authorize VA to obtain these records, and he must be scheduled for VA examinations regarding his bilateral shoulder, foot, back, hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disability, migraines, and back disability have been reopened. The claim for tinnitus has been granted as it is attributable to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the initial rating and effective date of service connection assigned for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current cervical spine disability is granted, but his claims for upper back and lower back disabilities are remanded due to lack of sufficient nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, disability ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development including VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings and service connection determinations due to missing examinations, scheduling issues, and additional Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to new evidence obtained from his military records.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 40% since May 2, 2023. The Board denied an increase in ratings due to lack of evidence supporting higher schedular or extraschedular evaluations.