Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot cold injury, migraines, and right ear hearing loss are dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss is also dismissed.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and bilateral knee conditions are dismissed.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar condition, bilateral hip conditions, and a right foot cold injury are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for low back, left hip, right hip, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity disabilities due to insufficient evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation. The claims are remanded for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back condition was dismissed because it was filed concurrently with another pending claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, aching muscles, nocturia, depression, anxiety, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperlipidemia have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, neck disorder, and right shoulder disorder due to deficiencies in the VA medical opinions provided. The Veteran will need new VA medical opinions to determine if his current disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, neck disorder, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left shoulder disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.,A noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 3, 2025. The rating was increased to 20 percent effective February 3, 2025.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are related to his active duty service, resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various hand and finger disabilities, as well as an upper back disability, have been denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back disability and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in duty to assist and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's cause of death is under review, including his back condition and psychiatric symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his back and associated radiculopathy disabilities, which require assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, transferring, housekeeping, and meal preparation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for the remaining conditions are denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to obesity and low back pain, but the PCAFC eligibility determination needs further clarification based on the best interest of the Veteran.

The appeals regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot plantar fasciitis, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left ankle sprain, right shoulder arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and left knee condition are dismissed.,The appeals regarding service connection for right shoulder arthritis and right knee condition are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment as of May 24, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was denied in a November 4, 2024 rating decision. The effective date of the award was revised to May 17, 2023 due to CUE in the previous decision. An earlier effective date is not granted.

PTSD is granted with a 70% evaluation.,Lumbosacral strain is granted at 20% effective June 4, 2024.,Sleep apnea is granted.,Neck strain is granted.,GERD is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current allergic rhinitis is related to his active service and grants service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.