Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD has been granted. The claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to missing service treatment records and outstanding private medical records. The Veteran's SSN may be incorrect, and a search should be conducted using both correct and incorrect numbers.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including effective date for scar, low back prior to April 15, 2017; evaluation greater than 70 percent for anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder; compensable evaluation for scar, low back; and evaluation greater than 40 percent for residuals, status post lumbar discectomy. The Veteran's claims will be remanded for further adjudication by the RO.

The Veteran's back condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted due to flare-ups caused by prolonged sitting, standing or laying down.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since May 8, 2014. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted from June 9, 2016. The Veteran's painful left knee scars are rated at 20 percent since May 8, 2014.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right clavicle disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and eye disabilities, with an effective date of October 23, 2015. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is considered to have been incurred in service, while his blurred vision is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 4, 2019.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, including issues for increased ratings and secondary radiculopathy. The claims are being returned for further development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, cervical degenerative joint disease with fusion C3-7, lumbosacral strain (low back pain), and various peripheral nerve conditions, meet the criteria for SMC at a higher rate due to their combined effect on his ability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims for bilateral cystic mastitis, brain growth, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, sinus disorder, head pain (or headaches), low back disorder, and right hip disorder were all denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and cardiovascular hypertension have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a GI condition and chronic headache condition were withdrawn.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hearing loss, low back disability, left foot hallux valgus, and right foot hallux valgus claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include lumbosacral strain, finding that there is no evidence of such disability being incurred or aggravated during active service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to his meningitis and subsequent spinal tap procedures.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the unavailability of service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current lower back disability is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disorder, a right knee disorder, and a thoracolumbar spine disorder. Service connection for tinnitus was also granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, including the claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral leg disability (claimed as bilateral knee pain).

The Veteran's lumbar disability, right and left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy, and cervical spine disability are all granted service connection. The cervical spine disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous examinations.,An earlier effective date claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other claims.