Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision, leaving no issues for review.

The Veteran's appeal of the reduction in evaluation of her service-connected lumbosacral strain from 40 percent to 20 percent has been dismissed because she withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's intent to file a claim for service connection for bilateral thoracolumbar spondylolisthesis was received on December 7, 2022. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at this date.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, anxiety, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the right ankle, and osteoarthritis of the right hip as secondary to pes planus (severe), hammer toes, hallux valgus.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder as secondary to pes planus (severe), hammer toes, hallux valgus.

The Veteran's Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and GERD have been granted increased ratings to 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively. The decision also found that the Veteran's disability picture is functionally equivalent to favorable ankylosis for DDD.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the current level of impairment.,Further VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a recurrent sinus disability and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's moderate spondylosis without acute bony abnormality and degenerative disc disease L5-S1 in his lower back were found to be incurred during service. The Veteran's eating disorder and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and anxiety) are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and right wrist sprain were denied. The evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for post traumatic headaches, right shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective November 14, 2019. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date of June 21, 2017 were met.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disk disease, chondromalacia patella of the left knee, and chondromalacia patella of the right knee, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip bursitis and lumbosacral strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for various conditions and service connection, as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in writing.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a disability evaluation and service connection due to inadequate examinations, including those related to her left ankle and low back pain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service connected. The right knee disability claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back condition, which may be related to his service or deployment. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current low back condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a digestive/bowel disability, and the evidence did not support her claim that she has an acquired psychiatric disorder or right hand carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and allergic rhinitis with deviated nasal septum have been reopened due to new evidence. The claim for left knee arthritis remains denied.,The Board has determined that the July 2019 VA medical opinion is inadequate as it rests on an inaccurate factual premise regarding the Veteran's post-service treatment history.

The Veteran's low back disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, and IBS have been granted increased ratings with effective dates of June 3, 2016. Service connection for these conditions has also been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck and back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by service.