Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a neck condition were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year of discharge, and the VA medical opinions concluded that the current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal includes a claim for TDIU prior to February 5, 2020. The Board has decided this case and remanded it due to the need for additional development regarding private medical records and clarification of employment history.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim for back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding increased evaluations for allergic rhinitis, lumbar spine disability, and left eye disability due to the appellant's withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for back, right knee, bilateral pes planus, and left elbow disabilities have been granted.,All issues related to these conditions were decided in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and consideration of all theories of entitlement, including secondary service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disorder due to bilateral pes planus is granted.,Service connection for right elbow disorder and left wrist disorder are remanded due to lack of VA examination.,Service connection for right wrist disorder is remanded due to lack of VA examination.,Obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease, hypertension, tension headaches, or bilateral pes planus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lateral epicondylitis of the left elbow, left hip iliopsoas and iliotibial tendinopathy, right hip iliopsoas and iliotibial tendinopathy, metatarsalgia of the left foot, chronic ankle sprain with tendinopathy, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with foraminal narrowing, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with foraminal narrowing, patellofemoral syndrome of both knees. The conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service, but there is conflicting evidence regarding his post-service occupation.

Service connection for prostate cancer is granted under the PACT Act of 2022.,Service connection for PTSD and persistent depressive disorder is granted. The Board found that these conditions are related to service, including in-service stressors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to August 13, 2012, as further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was unable to engage in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical examinations and lack of clarity regarding the Veteran's employment history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his military service and any present condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and loss of use of the left lower extremity, may have contributed to his right shoulder injury and amputation. The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if he needs regular aid and attendance due to these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred during active duty.,VA examinations were not provided for the Veteran's hip, low back, and knee disabilities. The Veteran also needs a VA examination for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PFB is rated as noncompensable, and his low back strain is rated at 20 percent effective the date of claim. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.