Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since service separation. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints, low back disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after her active service. The Board also found that any current diagnoses are not related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to particulate matter due to her service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his conditions were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The appeal is now closed without prejudice.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's right little finger disability has been rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his condition, which is not severe enough for a compensable rating.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis and a back disability secondary to bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and degenerative changes of the left hip and left knee, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.,The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability and stomach condition need further development due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements and STRs.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for lumbosacral spine strain and service connection for bilateral bunion formation were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or service connection due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board denied service connection for a left index finger disability, a lumbar spine (back) disability, and a right foot/ankle disability. The Veteran's claims were remanded for additional examinations.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a link between any of these disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for gastrointestinal disorders and hemorrhoids secondary to hepatitis C. The rating for hepatitis C remains under review, as does the effective date for PTSD.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have neuropathy of either upper extremity and is therefore denying service connection for this condition. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, left elbow, right elbow, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders are remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and right knee disorder due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the onset of the right knee disorder.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from September 9, 2011, through February 24, 2014, and from May 2, 2016, to present. The Board remanded the case for further development regarding the period from May 28, 2011, through September 8, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, provide the requested VA examiner's CV, and address other issues awaiting adjudication.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back condition that she asserts resulted from her military occupational specialty as a petroleum supply specialist.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and an inadequate nexus opinion. The low back strain claim is being remanded because of missing private treatment records, while the TDIU claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, chemical hypersensitivity, fatigue and soreness disorder, back disorder, skin disorder, memory loss disorder, skin cancers, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The claims are being returned for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's back disability is now rated at 40 percent, effective July 27, 2021. Ratings for his right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy were also granted with a 20 percent rating each, effective May 31, 2013.

The Veteran's back disability is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic in-service condition and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities are denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no credible continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities are denied because the Veteran did not have any diagnosed foot or ankle conditions during service, and there is no evidence of aggravation in-service.,The Veteran's skin disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's headaches are denied due to lack of a chronic in-service condition and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's tinnitus is denied due to lack of a chronic in-service condition and no credible continuity of symptomatology.