Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, back condition, heart condition, hypertension, left arm condition, and right arm condition have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions that began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no credible evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically failing to request an opinion regarding the impact of service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's occupational functioning prior to January 10, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left ankle osteochondral defect due to inadequate medical opinions provided prior to the January 2020 rating decision on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal fusion and spinal stenosis (claimed as back injury) and hernia. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his back disability is granted. The issue of a higher initial rating for the service-connected back disability is remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence of its onset in service or a link to service.,Before January 1, 2016, the Veteran's headaches were rated at 30 percent and not higher due to lack of very frequent, completely prostrating attacks. Beginning January 1, 2016, his rating was increased to 50 percent based on more severe symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, and prostate cancer have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,For the lumbar spine and right hip disabilities, the Board determined there was no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the Veteran's current conditions are not linked to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his left knee disability has been withdrawn. Service connection is granted for asthma, but the Board finds that there are pre-decisional duty to assist errors regarding service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current back disability and his active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lower back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar spine degenerative joint disease. The decision finds that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and establishes continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to his reported injury in military service. The claims for right foot hammer toes, left foot hammer toes, and cystectomy scars are denied.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 26, 2009 for the grant of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder and back disorder have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since at least February 26, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed.,A 40 percent evaluation is granted for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and sacroiliac degenerative joint disease, effective October 23, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain (back disability) due to combat involvement in Iraq, finding that his current condition is more likely than not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for service connection.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied due to lack of in-service disease or injury and insufficient continuity of symptomatology post-service. The VA examiner could not provide an opinion without resorting to speculation.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is remanded as the November 2015 VA medical opinion is inadequate, failing to address diagnostic testing performed at VistA Imaging.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a recurrent lumbar spine disability and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, lumbar spine, and right knee disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence or examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of left shoulder, left knee, and back disabilities before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were dismissed as the requests for extensions of time to file appeal forms were denied, and no good cause was shown.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's back injury is presumed to have occurred prior to service, but it is unclear if the preexisting condition worsened during service.