Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for a back condition and remanded the right wrist condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left ankle sprain, right ankle condition, and low back condition are denied as service connection is not established. The Veteran's neck condition is also denied.,The Veteran's left foot tingling (lower extremity radiculopathy) is remanded due to its inextricable link with the claimed low back condition.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 21, 2014, for service connection were denied.,Effective date of August 21, 2014 was granted for the award of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and traumatic brain injury, finding that these conditions are more likely caused by the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The Veteran's vertigo is remanded for further review due to insufficient evidence. Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder) is also remanded.

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection, while his lumbar spine disability is denied due to lack of a medical nexus.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent for lumbar strain with thoracic arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome effective September 6, 2021 is proper based on evidence showing improvement in his back condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for a right knee condition, right hip condition, and low back condition as they are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, a lumbar spine disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral pes planus due to the lack of current disabilities or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA-authorized physical therapy records for his lumbar spine disability and an adequate VA headache conditions examination.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are found to be the cause of his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and neurogenic bladder. Service connection is granted for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability but remanded the issue of service connection for a headache disability. The Veteran's current back and headache disabilities are not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating as they are related to his periods of active duty. The cervical spine disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination, while the thoracolumbar strain requires a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he meets the requirements for aid and attendance from another. As a result, his claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that it did not have its onset in service and is not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome as well as his right lower extremity radiculopathy are found to have begun during service and are related thereto. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a head injury was denied as there is no current diagnosis of residuals or TBI.,The Veteran's MDD, recurrent episode with anxious distress, was granted with a 70% disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine, right and left knee conditions, migraines, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with dizziness and staggering, urinary dysfunction, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's statements and medical opinions supported these findings.

Service connection is denied for vertigo, sleep apnea, upper back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for migraine headaches has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 9, 2020, for a 20% rating for his back condition was denied.,Claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left and right sciatic nerves prior to September 10, 2020, were also denied.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right sciatic nerves beginning on September 10, 2020, was granted with a 20% rating.