Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left knee total arthroplasties, as well as his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, were denied. The Board found that the current assigned disability ratings adequately reflected the functional impairment caused by these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, vertigo, and pneumonia are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The appeal is granted as the Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for service-connected lumbar spine disability is restored. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and other procedural errors.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, a lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, all related to active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's hip, knee, and lower back disabilities are being reviewed again with new medical opinions considering his service history.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it is related to in-service noise exposure. The back condition does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, sciatic nerve disorder as secondary to the service-connected low back disability, and headache disorder.,The Veteran's current low back and sciatic nerve disorders are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not due to his in-service injury while moving a heavy box.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, status-post spinal fusion, and scars, status-post spinal fusion are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The VA needs to schedule a new examination to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's back disability did not originate in or is not etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the cases for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right hip and low back disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 29, 2020 for the Veteran's service connection claims for back disability, left hip flexion disability, left hip extension disability, left hip rotation disability, and left knee disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for neck disability is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence shows constant pain with radiating symptoms down the legs, but no unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS with incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has found that they warrant a higher rating. The ratings for lumbar strain and GERD remain unchanged. The case is being remanded to schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, previously claimed as depression, is granted service connection. Service connection for tinnitus and PTSD are denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for these conditions. The lower back disability claim is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability was not manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, nor incapacitating IVDS episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during a 12 month period. As such, his claim for a higher rating is denied.