Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for Parkinson's Disease due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during service. Service connection for the lumbar spine disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lower back condition is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection. The bilateral hip condition claim, including secondary service connection for a left knee disability-related condition, is remanded due to lack of VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim prior to February 16, 2021. The VA examiner provided an incomplete opinion and further development is needed.

The Board has found that the Veteran's gout, low back condition, and sciatica are not related to his military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar, right ankle, and right foot disabilities are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to address the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their current severity, as well as to determine the nature and etiology of his headaches and bilateral hearing loss. The issues have been remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, and back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and the submission of missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is granted service connection and rated at 20 percent.,Her chronic lumbar strain (back disability) is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his associated radiculopathies are rated appropriately. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the rating for GERD with hiatal hernia was dismissed due to his withdrawal. The appeals for PTSD, low back disability, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, right knee condition, high cholesterol, and heart condition as these issues have been fully granted in a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection has been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found no basis for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right tibia fracture residuals, denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and requested further examination and development for low back condition and PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for various conditions, including bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left inguinal hernia scar, spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease, and left inguinal hernia. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes sufficient to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a maximum 100 percent rating.,For his left and right knee conditions, the Board has found insufficient evidence to determine their etiology and remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The claims for lower right back pain, right knee injury, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are granted on the merits. The claim for a headache disorder (migraines) and TBI remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the condition had its onset in active-duty service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, including gastro-soleus equinus syndrome and bilateral pes planus (plantar fasciitis), is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability was caused by his service-connected bilateral ankle disability. The low back disability is also linked to the service-connected bilateral ankle disability and bilateral feet disabilities.,PTSD is found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service, with a diagnosis of PTSD confirmed in private examination reports.,ED is determined to be secondary to PTSD, as diagnosed by a private examiner.,Obstructive sleep apnea is also found to be secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating remains pending.