Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's right knee disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine, lumbar spine, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, or left upper extremity radiculopathy disability. Hypertension and an acquired psychological disorder are diagnosed but the Board cannot establish service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder is granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is remanded to obtain missing STRs, including the separation examination, and to provide an adequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and DEA was granted with an effective date of December 20, 2022. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred within one-year prior to the date of claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and back disability are granted as service connected, with the evidence showing a current disability in each condition that is related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and Lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right shoulder, back, and bilateral knee disabilities under the modernized review system. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain disability and has remanded her claims of service connection for bilateral hip disabilities as secondary to her lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.,Service connection is granted for the status post right Achilles tendon repair with residuals, which had its onset during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee condition, left hip condition, and thoracolumbar spine condition are not related to his active service.,There is insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left knee condition, back condition, and migraines have been dismissed due to procedural errors. The appeal for migraines is being remanded.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the appellant's right lower extremity radiculopathy, but dismissed the issue regarding the lumbar spine surgical scar.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, insomnia disorder, right thumb strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus. The Veteran's left eye pterygium was assigned a noncompensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected psychiatric disability, as well as an earlier effective date for DEA benefits, are dismissed due to a prior final adjudication by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including degenerative joint disease with low back strain, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spur and hallux valgus of the left foot, required regular aid and attendance. SMC based on need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's back disability is denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's ulcer (Behcet's disease) does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his PTSD does not warrant an initial rating higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, and his anxiety disorder and IBS are denied initial ratings. The claims for GERD and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was denied due to the lack of a pending claim from 1991, and his formal claim for tinnitus was received on April 17, 2022.,The Veteran's low back disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of record demonstrating a current disability or functional impairment related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused current symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, which began during active service and continued thereafter. The decision also remanded for a separate rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.