Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and an upper gastrointestinal disorder, finding that the current conditions are not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn all appeals, including those for disability ratings and service connection. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions, finding that the current disabilities are related to in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, and his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are caused by his service-connected back disability.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are at least as likely as not due to his service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The VA medical opinions provided negative nexus opinions, concluding that the disabilities were not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional adjudication due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his service. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted as presumptively due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The issues regarding obstructive sleep apnea and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with IVDS are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate for the claims of service connection for various knee, ankle, lumbar spine, sleep apnea, and hearing loss disabilities. The Veteran's conditions are being remanded to allow for additional development.

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain necessary medical opinions as requested in prior remands and thus, another remand is needed to address the service connection claims for various orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of right ring finger disability, service connection for cervical spine/upper back disability, and low back disability are remanded due to failure to reschedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis or acute signs and symptoms due to IVDS that require bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician for at least six weeks in a 12-month period.,The Veteran's right lower extremity neurological signs and symptoms are due to nonservice-connected diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes); he does not have symptoms attributable to sciatic nerve radiculopathy associated with his low back disability that have caused more than mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve prior to April 16, 2013, or more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity neurological symptoms are due to nonservice-connected diabetes; he does not have symptoms attributable to sciatic nerve radiculopathy associated with his low back disability that have caused more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine are granted. The left knee condition, right knee condition, and chronic headache disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information and evidence, including a need for VA examinations and opinions regarding exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and any potential links to his current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spondyloarthritis, also claimed as a back condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee meniscal tear have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service or post-service treatment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been denied due to lack of in-service onset and no link to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been denied because it did not manifest during or within one year after leaving service.

The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 20 percent, and his left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to February 16, 2023, and from that date are both rated at 40 percent. The Veteran's left ankle fracture remains at a 10 percent rating, while the left ankle instability receives a separate 10 percent rating as of February 16, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a separate, initial compensable rating for residuals of TBI are being remanded due to insufficient examination reports.

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is dismissed. The appeals for service connection of the Veteran's back disability, right knee disabilities, left knee disabilities, right shoulder disabilities, and left shoulder disabilities are remanded.