Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating of his right knee, right ankle, and lumbosacral strain disabilities have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and a bilateral foot condition, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or any other compensable conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. Effective dates earlier than June 30, 2017, are not warranted.,Service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is granted with effective date of June 30, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for their service-connected psychiatric disability was denied. The Board also remanded the cases regarding their lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's lumbosacral disability is granted as it is linked to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's cervical disability is granted as it is related to the in-service fall he reported.,The Veteran's bladder disability is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected right nephrectomy and left kidney cystic changes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to service or a service-connected condition. The VA examiner needs to provide an opinion on both direct and secondary theories of service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of his National Guard and Reserve service records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant personnel and medical records, including those from the Texas and New Jersey National Guards and Army Reserves.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed low back disability, including a lack of medical records from his service and post-service treatment. The Veteran will need to provide additional information for VA to obtain relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylosis, PTSD, insomnia, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, right shoulder arthritis and impingement syndrome, left heel spur, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment since July 1, 2022. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals due to the Veteran's attorney requesting withdrawal of all appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not show ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral disability (also claimed as mid back pain) to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is denied as it did not pre-exist his military service and was not aggravated by service.,Service connection for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy/carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy/carpal tunnel syndrome, and gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) are remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as moot because his Supplemental Claim was granted in full, and there are no remaining issues for appellate consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and will provide an addendum opinion to address the Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar strain disability.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was received on November 10, 2019. The Board found that an earlier effective date of November 10, 2019, but no earlier, is warranted as it is the earliest effective date available at law under the facts of this case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic edema of the lower extremities and bilateral lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to service-connected hypertension due to incomplete medical records, conflicting opinions from examiners, and need for additional clarification.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that his current condition is related to a fall in service and establishing continuity of symptoms since discharge.