Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back/thoracolumbar spine condition and neck (claimed as musculoskeletal/neck/upper back/cervical spine) have been dismissed as moot because the conditions were granted in a September 2023 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service back pain and his current condition.

The Veteran's mental health conditions (panic disorder with agoraphobia and PTSD) and lower back condition (degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease) are now service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for flatus is denied because it does not represent a disability that qualifies for VA compensation purposes. The Board finds the Veteran has no current disability for which he can seek service connection. For his low back disability, the Board finds there was an error in failing to obtain records of treatment at the USAF hospital and remands for further action.

The Veteran's left knee condition, bilateral pes planus, and back condition are all granted. The Veteran is awarded a 10% rating for her left knee condition. Service connection is granted for bilateral pes planus. However, the service connection claim for the Veteran's back condition is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for flatus is denied as it does not represent a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Board finds the Veteran's low back disability may be related to his in-service injury, but an additional examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and high blood pressure have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right leg condition, right wrist condition, and lumbosacral strain.,The VA examination scheduled for the Veteran will address his right leg condition.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various disabilities, including unspecified anxiety disorder (also claimed as PTSD), tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and ankle/sleeve strains. The Veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to March 16, 2015.

The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral foot disabilities are granted effective from August 1, 2005.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to the service-connected disabilities of degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine with spinal fusion and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, is denied because there is no medical evidence that his obesity was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence that it began during his military service or was related to any in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. Service connection is granted for this condition. The claim for right ear hearing loss remains denied as there is no current disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for anxiety and a low back disability due to an error in providing notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is dismissed.,The appeals for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral foot disorders including fallen arches, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and high blood pressure are all dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, including degenerative arthritis, as well as a low back disability. The evidence is in relative equipoise that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral knee strains, and lumbar strain have been granted. However, the Veteran's right ear hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable disability rating.,The Board found that there is no evidence of current right ear hearing loss meeting VA criteria for disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his back disability prior to December 13, 2021 and for TDIU prior to April 2, 2018 due to duty-to-assist errors. The case will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration on the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right knee strain due to a duty to assist error. Additional development is needed, including obtaining a supplemental VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors in the prior decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.