Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his involvement in a motor vehicle accident during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lumbar radiculopathy and lumbar spine scar, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what is currently assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition, including whether it is related to service. The Veteran contends his current back conditions are related to an in-service incident of being pinned under a tree.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as Degenerative Disc Disease with IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that it had its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C and hepatitis B was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher disability evaluation for lumbar spine sprain and TDIU prior to July 25, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right foot condition, right ankle condition, and back condition due to additional evidentiary development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the available evidence of record indicates that the Veteran is currently employed in a substantial and gainful position.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral foot condition due to lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection for sinusitis is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to fine particulate matter (burn pits) during service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records (STRs) and to determine if his low back, right knee, left knee, stomach disability, and soft tissue sarcoma are related to his military service. The decision is remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it was incurred in service and is related to the Veteran's in-service back injuries.

Service connection is granted for right elbow arthritis and right hand arthritis.,Hemorrhoids, right foot nerve pain, and lumbosacral strain are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, back pain, and knee disability, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU from March 6, 2015, but the case is remanded for further evaluation of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right-sided sciatica, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, lumbar spondylosis with facet joint disease, and lumbar degenerative disc disease, is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine stenosis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities have been denied.,Service connection cannot be established as the evidence does not show a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and need for new examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because he remains employed as a financial manager and his earned income does not fall below the poverty threshold. The Board finds no evidence of marginal employment or sheltered work environment.

The Veteran's claimed foot, knee, shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service. The headaches also lack a service connection due to the absence of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 1, 2018.