Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and the current condition is not related to service.,The claims for secondary service connection for low back and right knee disabilities are denied because the Veteran does not have a currently service-connected primary disability. ,The claim for TDIU is denied as the Veteran has no service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for lumbar strain with spondylosis has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a low back disability due to incomplete records and the need for an examination. The case will be returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the service connection for a back condition and right knee condition.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and osteoarthritis as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's active service.

The Veteran's right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as noncompensably disabling (10 percent), and the Board denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate prior examination opinions and missing records. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to military service, including a 2003 motor vehicle accident in Iraq.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the current diagnoses are not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

Service connection is granted for hemorrhoids. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, chest pain, lower back condition, and cervical spine condition.,A rating higher than 10 percent for allergic rhinitis is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, respiratory disorder (claimed as bronchitis), and lumbar spine disorder need further examination and medical opinion to determine their etiology. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for low back pain, left knee pain, and right knee strain due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and increased ratings for his left knee disability. The remand is due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's service connection claims for back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease other than IVDS and sacroiliitis was granted a 20 percent rating from January 17, 2017 to October 11, 2022. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of these levels.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all four issues due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle and left foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of these conditions during or after active duty.,Service connection was also denied for back disability as there is no evidence of an in-service injury, disease, or symptomatology that could be linked to current symptoms.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including back pain, inguinal hernias, anorexia, hiatal hernia, stomach issues, irregular heartbeat, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remands and needs to obtain medical records from Mount Sinai Hospital.

The Board has remanded the cases for an adequate VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability and whether he is entitled to a TDIU. The rating assigned, effective date, and service connection theory are not specified in this decision.