Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, neck disability, and back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding the conditions less likely than not related to service or within a year of separation.,The Board also denied entitlement to nonservice-connected pension prior to October 1, 2017 on the basis of countable income.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 25, 2012, for service connection of a low back scar is granted. The claims for the addition of the Veteran's children as dependents are also granted with effective dates of October 31, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no service connection issues were decided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the STRs and lack of records from his treatment during service. The Board will seek an addendum VA medical opinion and additional development regarding potential in-service injuries.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, back, right shoulder, and right leg disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his active military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, back condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition.

The Veteran's OSA and back condition are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions, with obesity considered an intermediate step.,Service connection for rhinosinusitis is granted due to exposure under the PACT Act.

The claim for service connection for sarcoidosis of the right lower lip is dismissed. The claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, back condition, and left knee condition are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disorder or back disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The issue of residuals of heat stroke remains pending as additional evidence and an examination are needed to determine if such condition exists.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability with sciatica is caused by her service-connected bilateral foot conditions, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back condition is related to his military service, including an in-service back strain diagnosis and recurrent back pain.

The Board has decided to remand several service connection claims due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's duty status and treatment records. The issues include allergic rhinitis, avitaminosis (secondary to IBS), dermoid cyst, bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, left tympanoplasty, a back disability, and migraines.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left shoulder, knee, ulna/radius fracture, wrist compound fracture, lumbar compression fracture with degenerative disc disease, and PTSD. The issues include determining service connection for these conditions and assigning appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for additional VR&E services, including training to pursue a medical degree, was granted. The Board found that the Veteran had service-connected disabilities and functional limitations that made it necessary to change his rehabilitation goal from biomedical sciences to medicine.

The Board has remanded the cases due to an outstanding rating reduction of the Veteran's low back disability and because a decision on the increased rating claim could significantly impact the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spinal stenosis, COPD, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence added to the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right sciatic nerve disability are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder/arm disability, lumbar spine disability, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions in the January 2021 VA examination report. The Veteran's statements regarding chronic symptoms since service discharge are found not credible.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as it is related to his military service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted as it is proximately due to a service-connected condition (migraine headaches).,Sleep apnea is also granted as it is proximately due to a service-connected condition (migraine headaches).