Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's incarceration and inability to be examined. The VA will schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his TBI, as well as the severity of his lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability is denied as there is no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury that created additional disability.,The Veteran's sleep apnea, headache conditions, sinus condition, erectile dysfunction, back disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee conditions are all denied as the evidence does not show these conditions began during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disability, left hand disability, and hypertension. The lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further development.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions and new claims. The Board has determined that these matters are inextricably intertwined with the previously adjudicated issues, and thus must be remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, despite his reported difficulties with employment.

The Board denied service connection for hip dysplasia, left and right (also claimed as impingement and legs) and a back condition due to lack of medical nexus.,New evidence submitted since the April 2011 rating decision did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, which was secondary to a kidney disorder and/or Gulf War Syndrome, has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating from December 1, 2015. The ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted with specific percentages.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea was denied as the condition is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.,Ratings greater than 20 percent were denied for left and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathies, left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathies, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD).,PTSD was also denied as not productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and neck disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have continued since then.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted a 20% rating effective September 1, 2004. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's right tibia fracture was granted a 20% rating. The Veteran's lumbar strain prior to August 18, 2022 received a 20% rating, but the appeal for higher ratings after that date is denied.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome as there was no evidence of a link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a back condition due to insufficient medical evidence and an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and service.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg/knee and lumbar spine disabilities, as the current conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disorders, as these conditions may be related to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis or right lower extremity edema. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review.