Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and an internal injuries, including a groin disorder. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or any link between the claimed conditions and service.,The medical opinions provided by VA examiners were consistent in finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, for the period on appeal. The Board found that the Veteran had forward flexion of 30 degrees during his most recent examination in September 2019, which was applicable to the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back injury and right leg radiculopathy are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle condition and low back condition with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for his right knee, left hip, and left ankle conditions due to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 25, 2015. Effective March 7, 2016, the Veteran was awarded SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU related to his lumbar condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted increased ratings, with a total rating of 40 percent for both conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise regarding the right and left knee disabilities, but remanded for additional development. Service connection for PTSD is denied due to lack of a confirmed diagnosis by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with IVDS, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and osteoarthritis of the left hip. The Veteran's disabilities are deemed to have started during his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances in 2017 and 2018 due to the use of Canadian crutches are being remanded because no Statement of the Case has been issued, and he expressed disagreement with the decisions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been granted in full.,The application to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and shin splints is granted, but further examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's cervical DDD was granted a 20% rating from February 12, 2009, to September 3, 2019. Ratings in excess of 20% and 30% were denied for the periods from September 3, 2019, to September 13, 2022.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and back disability, but denied the petition to reopen a claim for right knee disability. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent lumbar spine and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition, chilblains and paresthesias of the bilateral lower extremities (claimed as cold injury residuals), neck condition, and low back condition. The left knee and right knee conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and the need for an adequate opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left ankle disorders (including arthritis), and right shoulder disabilities are granted. The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities are also granted. However, the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left and right shoulders remain pending as additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including heart disability secondary to hypertension, psoriasis, dry eye syndrome, and scars of the abdomen and lumbar spine. The effective dates for these claims are pending verification of all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back condition, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected ankle, knee, and hip disabilities. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.