Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and a bilateral knee condition, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that any current conditions are not secondary to his lower back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, right knee, and left knee disorders due to inconsistencies in his reported injuries during military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical spine strain were denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations. The Veteran also had limitations in hip motion due to trochanteric pain syndrome, but these were rated separately.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no probative evidence demonstrating a nexus between his in-service occurrence and his current condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected left second finger digital nerve mononeuritis and nonlinear scar, as well as for bilateral pes planus, pseudofolliculitis, chronic bronchitis, chronic eye condition, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly knee, back, shoulder, heart, TBI, and headache. Additional development is required including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a 20 percent rating, effective November 20, 2008. The TDIU issue is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability and low back disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional medical records, including x-rays, and a supplemental statement of the case will be issued.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to medication prescribed for his service-connected migraines and tinnitus, while the other conditions are not shown in service or for many years thereafter and are otherwise unrelated to his active-duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities including right arm, left shoulder, right shoulder, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee conditions. The reasons include lack of in-service evidence of injury or disease, inconsistent statements regarding treatment during service, and the absence of a medical nexus between current disability and service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is reopened, and the case is remanded for another VA examination to determine if his current back disorders are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and lower back conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's time in active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, and sleep apnea based on the Veteran's credible testimony of in-service injuries and persistence of symptoms since service.,Service connection is established for these conditions as they are found to be causally linked to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for an initial compensable rating for residuals of an ethmoid fracture disability and service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted a TDIU from March 3, 2015 to June 6, 2022. The claim for an increased rating for left knee chondromalacia is remanded due to the lack of range of motion testing.

The Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 30 percent for insomnia disorder was denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was granted, and service connection for a low back disorder was also granted. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected generalized arthralgias in multiple joints is being remanded due to insufficient examination data and the need for clarification on multi-joint disability assessment.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent from August 1, 2006 to February 7, 2017 and is now granted.