Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for PTSD, mechanical low back pain, arthritis, and left hand injury. However, further development is needed as new VA examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after active service, and the opinion from a VA examiner found it less likely related to service. The claims for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and eye disorder (secondary to hypertension) are remanded as new medical opinions are needed.,The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after active service, and the opinion from a VA examiner found it less likely related to service. The claims for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and eye disorder (secondary to hypertension) are remanded as new medical opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for hepatitis C, as the provided VA examination opinion is inadequate. Service connection for low back disability and psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain (claimed as any back condition) has been granted.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for mild lumbar spine degenerative changes, mild thoracic spine degenerative changes, and L5-S1 and L4-S5 disc herniation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The issues include service connection for neurological, genitourinary, and skin conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder with degenerative disc disease is related to his military service, granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back condition due to new evidence being submitted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and liver disability (including cirrhosis and Hepatitis C) due to inadequate development in previous examinations. The claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found no new or material evidence to reopen these claims. The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied for all other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person throughout the period on appeal, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar strain was granted effective February 17, 2005. The Board found that the earlier date of entitlement is February 17, 2005.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records from the Mississippi Department of Human Service regarding disability benefits. The appeals for service connection for bilateral knee and back disabilities are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating. The cervical spine and lumbar spine disability claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about completeness of service treatment records, particularly a missing separation examination report from 1988.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation. The issues include gastroesophageal reflux disease, syncope, diabetes mellitus type II, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, sleep apnea, lumbar disability, and a right foot disability (other than pes planus).

The Board has remanded the claims due to a Francway challenge against the June 2022 VA examiner's competency. The Regional Office must obtain and provide the requested information about the examiner's qualifications.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 based on the Veteran's credible account of in-service events and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from January 5, 2007, to February 28, 2007, is dismissed as moot due to the assignment of a combined 100 percent evaluation and SMC at the rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA mental health examination to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The TDIU claim is granted beginning June 20, 2017.