Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, finding that the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a present disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for several issues related to service connection and disability ratings, as the appellant requested withdrawal of these appeals prior to the decision being made.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and bilateral shin splints have been granted service connection. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, right elbow, and miscarriage claims are remanded for further development.,Service connection has been established for fibromyalgia and bilateral shin splints based on their relationship to active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating and service connection due to inadequate examinations and missing evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his back condition, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current back conditions to his military service.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection, including those for PTSD, head injury, left hand strain, left knee strain, lumbosacral strain, left thumb fracture, bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, right hand strain, and right knee strain. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The claims for a change in the character of discharge and compensation for lumbosacral strain and PTSD are remanded due to an error in notifying the appellant about the necessary steps.

The Board denied service connection for a right arm disorder, TBI or residuals thereof, and headaches. The claims for service connection for neck, left upper extremity, back, and knee disorders were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disability to correct duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the August 2022 rating decision on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as female sexual arousal disorder, both found to be secondary to service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or illness and noting a lengthy period between service and the earliest indication of the claimed disability.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including left knee, low back, right and left hearing loss, right and left foot dermatophytosis, and right knee strain, as the evidence did not show current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, and HIV. The Board found that there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and that continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Board has denied service connection for scars, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder was also denied as secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is granted.,The Veteran's left upper neuropathy is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and is granted.,The Veteran's right upper neuropathy is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and is granted.,The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy, causally due to his service-connected back disability, is granted.,The Veteran's left lower radiculopathy, causally due to his service-connected back disability, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a new opinion regarding the functional equivalent of unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine and addressing whether TDIU should be granted on an extraschedular basis.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded to develop and adjudicate his claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate and/or based on the need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in denying service connection for a lumbar spine condition. The Veteran's reported continuity of symptoms and surgery in 1977 are to be considered, along with any updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted a temporary total rating for convalescence due to lumbar spine surgery performed on November 8, 2017. The effective date is October 30, 2024.