Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current low back disability and his service, as well as whether it is related to any other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee, thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to procedural error.

The Veteran's kidney cancer, colon removal, asthma, and low back condition claims are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicides, contaminated soil, and radiation. A VA examination is required to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure by the RO to reschedule VA examinations and provide appropriate assistance in developing his claim while he was on active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service injury while on active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sacroiliac and lumbar L4-S1 arthritis as secondary to his service-connected hypertension, finding that the fall from a ladder in November 2011 was caused by new hypertension medication.

Your appeal seeking service connection for lumbar strain has been dismissed as the AOJ (Regional Office) granted this benefit in a December 2023 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that these conditions began during active service and have continued since.

The veteran was discharged from service due to a back disorder that was later found to be service-connected. As a result, she qualifies for VA home loan guaranty benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the maximum disability rating of 100 percent. Service connection for GERD, upper back disability, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, and lumbosacral strain are denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding a higher rating.,Service connection for neck arthritis and depression as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed degenerative disc disease, finding that it began during his active service and is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding increased ratings for PTSD, left calcaneal fracture residuals, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. Additionally, a TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various hip and lower extremity disorders, including a lumbar spine disorder, as well as secondary claims related to these conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis lumbosacral spine with spinal stenosis was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities were incurred during service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for VA examinations related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a 40% rating for service-connected lumbar spine strain is granted, effective May 30, 2012. The effective date of the TDIU claim remains February 2, 2018.