Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD due to insufficient VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of her back and shoulder conditions, as well as a lack of sufficient information in the July 2022 VA examination for PTSD.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the September 2021 rating decision and has ordered further development to verify the appellant's alleged active duty Reserve service dates. The issues on appeal are now remanded for readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have BHL, his lumbar DDD is not manifested by ankylosis or forward flexion at 60 degrees or less, his right lower extremity radiculopathy does not meet criteria for a higher rating, his right hip strain does not meet criteria for a higher rating, and his tinnitus does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical or lumbar spine disability and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim. The evidence is against finding an in-service injury, event, or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for depression separate from service-connected PTSD and residuals of a L4 fracture of the lumbar spine are denied due to lack of current diagnoses.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is remanded as evidence does not establish its relationship to her military service or TERA exposure.,The Veteran's headaches are remanded as evidence does not establish their relationship to her military service or TERA exposure.,The Veteran's sinusitis is remanded as evidence does not establish its relationship to her military service or TERA exposure.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol and cannabis use disorder is rated at 100 percent effective March 27, 2021.,Effective March 27, 2021, the Veteran's migraine including migraine variants are rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a thoracic spine disability due to a lumbar spine disability because there is a need for a VA examination and proper development.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury.

The appeal for service connection for lumbar spine multi level degenerative disc disease with bilateral neural foraminal narrowing and spinal stenosis was dismissed due to a procedural defect.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for back condition was dismissed due to the untimely filing of his VA Form 10182, which did not follow proper claims processing rules.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that his current condition is related to military service and granting the benefit of doubt in his favor.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, back, neck, and right shoulder disorders. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The appeal of the right ankle injury claim is dismissed because it was deferred by the RO. The back condition/injury claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right hip disabilities, both secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The VA will obtain addendum medical opinions to address whether these conditions are aggravated by or related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, migraine headaches, hypertension, right wrist sprain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, asthma, lumbar degenerative disc disease, GERD, and IBS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to low back, left knee, left hip, and right hip disorders have been remanded due to inadequate VA opinions. The Board requires an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition as secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis with medial meniscus tear. The decision is based on medical opinions that support the link between the Veteran's current low back condition and his service-connected knee conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The claim for low back pain is remanded due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right foot disorder (plantar fasciitis), and left foot disorder (plantar fasciitis) were not incurred or aggravated by service.,There is no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions during service.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate and requires a new opinion to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine condition is related to service.