Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including a lumbar spine condition, right and left knee condition, right and left wrist condition, right and left hip condition, right and left ankle condition, and bilateral pulmonary condition. The Veteran's claims are remanded to schedule him for a VA examination regarding his bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lower back condition with stenosis, right knee disability, left knee disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to inadequate VA examinations.,The appellant contends his disabilities are related to his military occupation specialty (MOS) and his duties in-service. The Board finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error as the July 2019 VA examinations for these issues are inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset in and are related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted an increased rating to 40 percent, effective from December 13, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he did not have any service-connected disabilities at the time of the decision.,Service connection for PTSD and mild depressive and anxiety disorder were granted, with the Board finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his military sexual trauma during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, and because he was exposed to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran is not entitled to presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's request to readjudicate the previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted. The appeal is remanded for further adjudication by the AOJ.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection is granted for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides and/or disabilities. Service connection is also granted for GERD, migraine headaches, TBI, neck disability, and low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and left elbow strain with tendonitis. The Veteran's claims are pending further review.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of December 15, 2010, as the Board finds that he was unable to engage in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities starting from this date.

The Veteran's bilateral femoral and sciatic radiculopathy was associated with his service-connected low back condition for the entirety of the relevant time period, and therefore, the claims for earlier effective dates are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis. Therefore, entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck conditions due to a lack of evidence regarding their etiology. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for chloracne, colon cancer, Parkinson's disease, Hodgkin's lymphoma, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment).,The Board has also remanded the claim for rhabdomyolysis and AML.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, right leg, left leg, and erectile dysfunction disabilities. The claims of service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD are remanded due to the lack of relevant private treatment records.,Further development is needed regarding the Veteran's claim of a right arm disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and some other conditions due to lack of evidence linking these disabilities to service.

Service connection is granted for right hip stress fracture, posttraumatic DJD of the right hip.,Service connection is granted for left hip stress fracture, posttraumatic DJD of the left hip.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder (also claimed as panic disorder) due to personal trauma (PT).,Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,Service connection is granted for cervicothoracic pain with right upper extremity radicular pain and weakness.,Service connection is granted for traumatic brain injury residuals.,Service connection is granted for brain aneurysm.,Service connection is granted for low back pain.,Service connection is granted for cephalgia (headaches).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues prior to a decision being made.