Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his military service, and thus service connection for a back disability is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 50 percent effective November 1, 2015. The lumbar strain rating remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and granted an initial 10 percent rating for right pelvis bone graft donor site arthralgia. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, left knee RPPS, and right knee RPPS are being remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain is also being remanded.

Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.,Prior to August 10, 2022, a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with lumbago is denied due to lack of evidence showing more than limited range of motion and muscle spasm.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examinations and requests for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and hypertension were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation, and the VA examiner did not find that the current conditions are due to military service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's SMC benefits from March 13, 2017 due to improper severance.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The case is remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia, MDD, and anxiety disorder), low back condition, and cervical condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of various service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability recent to or during the pendency of the appeal.,For the period from December 1, 2014 to September 4, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as his symptoms were consistent with a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of service-connected disabilities and determine appropriate ratings. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with other claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's spine, knee, shoulder, and sense of smell disabilities due to new evidence. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a right knee disability, reflux esophagitis, head injury, dysphagia, and a left shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of ESRD, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, along with other service-connected conditions, has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since March 19, 2018. The Board grants a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis is granted as service connected. The claims for left foot plantar fasciitis and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a pending request for a DRO hearing. The Veteran's representative requested a DRO hearing, but it has not been addressed by the RO.