Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

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.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for a low back condition, finding it at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to August 17, 2017, for right hip trochanteric pain syndrome is denied. The Veteran's lumbosacral disability is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine prior to January 10, 2022 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent due to limited range of motion and functional loss.

The Veteran's claims for anxiety disorder, myofascial pain syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine, left foot condition, and PFB have been reopened due to new and material evidence. However, these claims remain pending as they are remanded for further development.,Service connection has not yet been established for any of the conditions listed above.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back condition is proximately due to or the result of her in-service fall from a ladder. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted reopening of the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, neck, and back conditions as well as PTSD. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions began during service and are at least as likely as not caused by in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, which is currently considered a direct service connection without any presumption or secondary link.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, increased ratings for lumbar strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran was not scheduled for necessary VA examinations due to his failure to appear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine degenerative joint diseases are being remanded.,Further investigation is needed to determine the validity of these claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating for the period prior to June 21, 2017.,A higher rating is denied for the period since June 21, 2017.,An initial 20 percent rating was granted for the trapezius muscle spasms disability prior to July 28, 2022.,An initial 30 percent rating was granted for the trapezius muscle spasms disability since July 28, 2022.,Radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is rated at a separate initial 40 percent evaluation.,Radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is rated at a separate initial 30 percent evaluation.

The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as insomnia and mood disorder, secondary to the service-connected tinnitus, is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and headaches, but denied service connection for atrial fibrillation and right knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with effective dates of March 13, 2017. The SMC claim was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The rating for metatarsalgia with Morton's neuroma of the right foot remains denied as it already has the maximum schedular disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition did not onset in-service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation.,Service connection was also denied for a left knee disorder due to lack of evidence showing continuity of symptomatology since service. The Board noted that the Veteran's current diagnosis is most likely age-related.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for a back condition other than lumbar strain due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disability rating was restored, but the headaches claim was not granted an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 22, 2015, is also being referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has denied the initial compensable disability rating for a scar on the left lateral surface of the distal femur and remanded the service connection claim for low back disability.