Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to readjudicate his claims for service connection for psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), type II diabetes mellitus, and back disability based on new evidence. However, service connection is denied for all three conditions.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the November 2018 denial may be used to readjudicate the claims for service connection for neck, mid-back, and low back disabilities. The claims are being remanded due to a failure to notify the Veteran of scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical strain is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and the medical opinion does not support a direct relationship to service.,Service connection for spondylosis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), left knee osteoarthritis with osteophyte formation, right knee chondromalacia with degenerative changes, and right hip strain with limitation of extension are all denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and the medical opinion does not support a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for chronic thoracolumbar strain with discogenic disease, IVDS, and tracheogenic scoliosis is granted. The claims for service connection for GERD and bilateral foot disorder are reopened, and the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for onychomycosis of the feet.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right knee, lower back, and tinnitus disabilities. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain with thoracic spine strain, right hip strain, and left hip strain are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's appeal of extending the temporary total evaluation for convalescence due to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis, status post discectomy beyond January 1, 2020, and an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for this condition since January 1, 2020, is dismissed.

The Veteran's internal hemorrhoids and chronic low back strain have been rated, but the Board has remanded for further evaluation due to additional issues. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for sleep disability and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of cervical spine degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service injury and that any current disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claims for back, sleep, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary disabilities. These issues are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and a back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The weight of the evidence does not support a nexus between current disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his involvement in a motor vehicle accident during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lumbar radiculopathy and lumbar spine scar, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what is currently assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition, including whether it is related to service. The Veteran contends his current back conditions are related to an in-service incident of being pinned under a tree.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as Degenerative Disc Disease with IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that it had its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C and hepatitis B was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher disability evaluation for lumbar spine sprain and TDIU prior to July 25, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right foot condition, right ankle condition, and back condition due to additional evidentiary development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the available evidence of record indicates that the Veteran is currently employed in a substantial and gainful position.