Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right hip strain appeal is dismissed.,Service connection granted for bilateral shoulder strain, lumbar spine arthritis and disc disease, cervical disc disease, and bilateral knee strain. Service connection was not established for gastroenteritis and diarrhea due to lack of evidence.,Gastroenteritis and diarrhea were found insufficient to establish a chronic condition during service or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and PTSD, as well as his low back disorder. The claims are currently pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine and right leg disabilities due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for sciatic radiculopathy of both lower extremities and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in a hearing before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking the current condition to active service.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are now rated at their maximum schedular ratings, with a 20% rating for the right ankle posttraumatic arthritis. The decision grants these ratings throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for neurogenic bladder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and IVDS was remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the presence or severity of an incapacitating episode.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the February 2014 rating decision is sufficient to readjudicate claims for service connection for bruxism, lumbar strain, and headaches. However, no new relevant evidence was found for the deviated septum, pes planus, or bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an unspecified back disorder and increased rating for insomnia disorder due to new evidence submitted within one year of a previous denial. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being reconsidered, and his claim for an increased rating is being corrected for a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) during the appeal period. Therefore, a higher rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's stomach disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) are all found to be related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a back condition before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to be received for the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease, right knee disability, and left knee disability. As a result, these claims are granted.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to be received for the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease, right knee disability, and left knee disability. As a result, these claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a back disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is also denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a back disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is also denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.

Service connection has been granted for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and the Veteran's back pain began during service.,The right knee, left knee, and right ankle conditions are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis, is granted service connection because the evidence shows it is at least as likely as not related to active service.