Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, back disability, lower left extremity radiculopathy, and upper left extremity neuropathy due to insufficient evidence of current diagnoses or causal relationships.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as a lumbar spine and cervical spine disability. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracic scoliosis and a mild back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar disability is denied because there is no competent evidence of a current disability or an in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder is also denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a back disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and sleep apnea are all denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.,Service connection is not granted for left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, or cervical spine injury residuals as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been readjudicated due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board is remanding these claims as they involve complex medical issues.,Service connection has not been established for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, or right knee disorder.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU and DEA, finding that no valid claim was filed prior to May 5, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's August 2019 VA Form 9 as a valid notice of disagreement to the August 2018, September 2018, January 2019, and March 2019 rating decisions due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms during and since service are credible.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and for TDIU has been granted with effective dates of August 8, 2016, and May 8, 2017 respectively.,PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment since the date of claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted. The claims for diabetes, lumbar disc disease, right shoulder arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome were denied.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 8, 2019 for service connection and increased rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right knee strain with meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament tears, and OSA with asthma. The appeal for a higher evaluation for OSA with asthma was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for deviated septum and degenerative disc disease with IVDS due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The VA medical opinions are inadequate, and additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain (claimed as low back pain) and arthritis bilateral hands have been granted service connection. A 60 percent disability rating for asthma has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck condition, diagnosed as cervical spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have continued since.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service due to carrying heavy equipment during patrols in Iraq or training ruck marches.

The Veteran's migraines are granted with a 30 percent evaluation from May 8, 2021. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ankle strain, right knee pain, and thoracolumbar strain (low back pain).

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, right hip osteoarthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis and left total knee arthroplasty with residual surgical scar associated with left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including OSA with asthma, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, TBI, and a back condition, was denied. The case is remanded to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, but the claim of a compensable rating for foot condition is remanded.