Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder as there is no evidence of current disability attributable to service, and the Veteran was not shown to have any functional impairment due to back pain since separation from active duty in January 1969.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, COPD, and a disability of the eye. The issues have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding potential service connection due to toxic exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back disability and bilateral radiculopathies as secondary to a back disability due to outstanding records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for neck and back disorders due to their potential secondary nature to service-connected bilateral foot disabilities. The VA will need to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by the service-connected feet disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to deficiencies in previous opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on three conditions (Hepatitis C, thoracolumbar spine condition, and pancreatitis) has been dismissed due to his death. No eligible party has requested to continue the appeal as a substitute claimant.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The issues of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as hidradenitis suppurativa, are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and low back condition have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death prior to a final decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a lower back disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis has been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and back disorder should be remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left knee condition have been remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his periods of active duty and Reserve service.

Service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae, Chronic Lumbar Strain, and Insomnia has been granted.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are supported by his service treatment records and post-service medical evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, effective prior to September 1, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for his lumbar spine strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, bulging disk at L4-L5 and spinal stenosis, as it was not factually ascertainable that the condition had increased in severity prior to April 19, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his current back, groin, left hip, and neurological symptoms being related to his Gulf War service. The claims are remanded because of inadequate examination opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition and Vitamin D deficiency, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including shoulder, wrist, and knee conditions. The effective dates for granting service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling an examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.