Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed. The claim for a lumbar back condition is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability and his initial compensable evaluation claim for arthritis of the left little finger were both denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a back disability, and there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that any current arthritis of the left little finger is related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is denied as not related to service, with the Board finding that it resulted from a post-occupational work-related injury in 1982.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for calendar years 2020 and 2021 are being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his prior clothing allowance approvals, specifically related to back braces.

The Board has granted effective dates of July 31, 2019 for the service connection of residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a back disability, and a neck disability. The Veteran's claims were initially denied in February 1981 but were continuously pursued until they were readjudicated on July 31, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The left knee and low back conditions are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and denied entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) prior to November 22, 2023. The Veteran's TDIU was granted on November 22, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, service connection for breathing problems and RLE neuropathy, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a VA toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) opinion.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was correctly calculated by the RO in May 2022, resulting in a 43 percent rating. The Board finds that this calculation is correct and denies the claim for a higher combined rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal conditions are granted. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that his condition was consistent with no higher than a 20 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's left knee disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with intervertebral disc syndrome has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's current low back condition, including mid and upper back issues, is related to an in-service injury. Service connection for this disability has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of clarity regarding his service periods. The Veteran will need medical examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability and back disability need further examination to determine their nature and etiology, as well as their current severity. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition but has remanded the right hand skin condition issue due to inadequate examination and procedural errors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including rating and effective date determinations. The case is returned for further action based on additional records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left hip, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, which may be related to his military service.