Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar, cervical, right foot, left foot, hepatitis C, and acquired psychiatric disabilities as there is no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical spine strain with IVDS, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and right upper extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, dermatitis, fatigue, anemia/immune disorder, and a nervous system disorder has been dismissed.,The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current tinnitus had its inception during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration due to new evidence added to the record since the last decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his lumbar degenerative disc disease, finding that it is not related to his military service and is more likely age-related.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's low back condition is secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and left hip disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and lumbar spine conditions are granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is due to an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent, effective January 16, 2010. The Board finds that the combined rating for these conditions is sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to November 1, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and multiple joint and back conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since June 23, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, status post laminectomy is rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar strain, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service and concluding that any current condition is not related to his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and increased evaluations for right knee and back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability was incurred during service and granted service connection for it.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a low back condition, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, back disability, coccyx disability, left testicle epididymitis, and right hip disability are all granted. The cases of the back, coccyx, and right hip disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disability and thoracolumbar spine disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The case will be further developed to clarify dates of Active Duty Reserve (ACDUTRA) and Indefinite Non-Academic Training and Reservist (INACDUTRA) service.

The Veteran's left achilles tendonitis is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The Board also grants the Veteran a TDIU from March 20, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the examination findings and need for clarification on functional loss during flare-ups. The Veteran's back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being evaluated again.