Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was denied because his VA Form 9, which he filed in October 2018, was not timely or properly accepted by the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet, lumbar spine arthritis and bony spurs at multi-levels of lumbosacral spine with lumbar stenosis, and right leg disorder (rheumatoid arthritis).,There is no evidence showing a current diagnosis or in-service injury that would support the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no medical relationship between his current back condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, low back disability, and right hip disability. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy was remanded. An effective date earlier than August 24, 2017, for the grant of additional benefits for dependent child A.T. is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to May 24, 2011, was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of an initial increased rating for lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 1, 2015. His TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to a lack of pre-1998 VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and other conditions, are found to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as a truck driver. As such, the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, serous otitis media, and several other conditions were denied. The appeals for increased ratings for hearing loss and scars, as well as the effective date claims for serous otitis media and scars were also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service symptoms and experiences.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain is currently rated at 40 percent, effective March 4, 2014. The appeal for a higher initial rating has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a genitourinary disorder, including dysuria and epididymitis of the bilateral testes, has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a low back disability was denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date available is May 28, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of migraine headaches was reopened and remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial in August 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The appeals will be reconsidered after obtaining missing service personnel records, post-service treatment records, and arranging for new VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for low back strain and left knee arthritis and chondromalacia patella, but has remanded the case for further examination regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a low back disability and cervical spine disability. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for skin disability and remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability and muscle and joint pain. The Veteran's skin disability is not related to his military service, while the lumbar spine and muscle and joint pain issues require further development.