Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, right ear hearing loss at 10 percent, and the remaining conditions are not granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's back disability is being evaluated again, and his hypertension may be related to his adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for special home adaptation grant and housing eligibility were denied. Her claims for increased ratings for posttraumatic headaches, traumatic brain injury with PTSD, and lumbosacral strain were also denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with disc bulge is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations. The appeal for an increased rating has been denied as her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are remanded due to a pre-decisional failure of the duty to assist based on inadequate examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss claims have been denied. The back condition and PTSD claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received to warrant readjudication.,Service connection for a lower back condition secondary to right hip total arthroplasty is also denied due to the lack of a causal relationship between the conditions.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for right leg length discrepancy has been denied as there is no evidence of shortening that meets the criteria for a 10% rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has been granted due to aggravation during service. The Board found that the Veteran had a pre-existing condition and provided treatment, but his symptoms worsened during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for back disability is denied, and her right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted an initial 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and low back disorders must be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA will obtain missing STRs, including any separation examination, and provide an adequate VA examination or medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims for left foot disability, right foot disability, back disability, and COPD are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and disability ratings related to his back issues, as well as his TDIU claim due to his contentment with his current rating.

The Board has denied service connection for flat feet and OSA, but granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.,Service connection was established for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with thoracic vertebral bodies wedging (back condition).

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a back disability, both characterized as cervical strain and lumbar and thoracic strain respectively. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent lay statements about his military service and injuries sustained while serving as a paratrooper.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for intermittent explosive disorder and the entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain need further review due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and incomplete VA treatment records. The AOJ is also directed to obtain any service personnel files necessary to confirm the length of the Veteran's service at Camp Lejeune, prepare a PACT Act memorandum, and provide an etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition.

The appeal for service connection for a low back condition is dismissed because there has been no final AOJ decision issued.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition and remanded the claims of increased rating for generalized anxiety with major depressive disorder, service connection for hyperhidrosis, acne, bilateral hip condition, and carpal tunnel syndrome or neuralgia/paresthesias of the bilateral arms.,Further investigation is needed to determine if there are any current diagnoses related to these conditions.