Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for DIC benefits based on service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that his service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the benefit was already granted in full.,Service connection for high blood pressure is denied because there is no probative evidence linking it to active service, a period of inactive duty training (IDT), or an injury during a period of active duty for training (ADT).,The Veteran's claim for right eye vision loss due to welding exposure during his military service remains pending and must be remanded.,Service connection for the right knee disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to active service, a period of inactive duty training (IDT), or an injury during a period of active duty for training (ADT).,The Veteran's claim for left knee disability remains pending and must be remanded.,Service connection for the lower lumbar back injury with multiple surgeries is denied as there is no evidence linking it to active service, a period of inactive duty training (IDT), or an injury during a period of active duty for training (ADT).

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and dismissed the appeal of service connection for toxic chemical exposure. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims of a bilateral foot, ankle, lower extremity radiculopathy, back, shoulder, or left knee condition as being related to service.,There is no current disability found for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to sustain gainful employment effective June 1, 2009. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met and grants the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for right knee strain and a right knee surgical scar have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is now rated at 40 percent from June 30, 2021. His right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 20 percent rating since May 5, 2021.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary for the Veteran's back disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, neck disability, ankle disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, and headache disability due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's post traumatic vascular headaches have been restored to a 10 percent rating from December 21, 2018.,The claims for reopening the service connection for psoriasis and skin condition (secondary to sexual trauma or exposure to depleted uranium) are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lipoma excision scar, right posterior neck and reopening of the lumbosacral strain claim are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, hypertension, headaches, and acquired mental disorder are all found to be related to service.,Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition, finding that it is related to an injury sustained during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, DDD of the lumbar spine, hypertension, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, residuals of right hand carpal tunnel release, left knee chondromalacia patella and meniscal tear with shin splints, and right knee chondromalacia patella with shin splints, have rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and low back disability, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature of his conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease is related to active service, granted.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) disability is proximately due to his service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis and shin splints status post ORIF left tibia fracture, granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis due to new evidence showing presumptive exposure to toxic materials during service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's claim is granted.,The claims for service connection for back disability and right knee disability remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for anxiety disorder, erythema multiforme, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been dismissed as the RO granted service connection for a different condition in April 2023. The Board has also remanded cases regarding upper back and lower back conditions due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is denied for erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, with no current diagnosis found in the record.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating, effective from May 13, 2022. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted a 20 percent rating, effective from June 5, 2022.