Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and restrictive lung disease, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are presumptively related to his in-service exposure to burn pits. The low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder claims have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the failure of a VA examination. The issues include back disability, hearing loss, mental health disabilities (PTSD, depression, anxiety), and allergy.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for a back disability and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran was asked to provide authorization forms for private medical records from identified providers, and a new hearing is scheduled if needed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral knee disability. Service connection is denied for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal of three issues has been dismissed as the Veteran and her representative withdrew their request for a hearing.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 14, 2017 was denied as he had substantial and gainful employment. The Board remanded the case due to a potential issue with service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck and back disorders due to inadequate medical opinions. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is still denied as there is no credible evidence linking the current low back disability to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as his non-service-connected ankle and feet conditions also limit his employment.

The Board denied service connection for a left varicocele, lumbar spine disorder, head injury, and acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD due to lack of evidence showing an in-service onset or aggravation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for additional disabilities caused by neurotoxic exposure is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The Board grants service connection for sleep apnea and denies service connection for insomnia (as separate from PTSD).,The Veteran's back disability, right knee disability, and muscle spasms of the right thigh and low back are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases of right hip, right knee, and low back disabilities for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine spondylosis and unspecified depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since October 16, 2002. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 6, 2012.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for lumbosacral strain due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding its etiology and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability is denied. The Board finds that the current condition of degenerative changes in the lumbar spine is less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a surgical scar status post lumbar decompression L4-S1 is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for a lower back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, head laceration (also claimed as head trauma), and headaches. The reasons provided include the lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,Service records do not show any complaints or treatment related to these conditions during active duty. The Veteran's current symptoms are attributed to various incidents outside of his military service, such as motor vehicle accidents.