Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran did not have any right and left hand, wrist, shoulder, knee, hip, neck, or back disorders during service. The post-service medical records do not show a continuity of symptoms for these conditions until at least 21 years after service ended. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis is granted.,Service connection for migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted effective September 24, 2020. The effective dates for the lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, neurogenic bladder, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were also granted on this date.

The Board has vacated its February 20, 2024 decision remanding the TDIU claim due to a duty-to-assist error and has ordered a new examination to assess the Veteran's ability to work given his education and employment history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, a back condition, and various arm, elbow, hand, knee, and shoulder conditions, finding that there was no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or in-service onset related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, require frequent adjustments of prosthetic appliances, feed himself, attend to wants of nature, or protect himself from daily hazards.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as he does not report experiencing recurrent tinnitus and the VA examination did not diagnose him with tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's back, left knee, heart, skin cancer, headaches, and stomach/abdominal disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion due to potential service connection based on toxic exposure.

The Veteran's claims for left knee chondromalacia, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and drug addiction), low back disorder, and arthritis of the entire body are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from following a substantially gainful occupation starting August 2, 2016. The Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU beginning on this date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection is established.,PTSD, insomnia secondary to PTSD, a bilateral hand condition, a lumbar spine condition, and a right hip condition are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a low back disability during or immediately after service and that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee and ankle conditions, low back pain, sciatic radicular pain, TBI, headaches, and PB, are granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 70% for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, left knee condition, and low back condition, finding that all reasonable doubts should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability, left shoulder disability, and persistent depressive disorder with major depressive disorder due to duty-to-assist errors. The claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefit records and medical opinions regarding the onset of his lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as zero percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if service connection is warranted for his left shoulder and low back disabilities. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for left shoulder and low back disabilities are now pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient development and examination. The Board will consider additional evidence, including toxic exposure risk activity.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition, finding it related to his active duty service and secondary to his service-connected cervical spine condition.

Your appeals for service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals under the Direct Review Lane.