Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including shoulder, hip, ankle, and spine issues, are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The issues of cervical strain, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, right knee strain, left knee strain, right finger joint condition with rheumatoid and stiffness (right finger condition), left finger joint condition with rheumatoid and stiffness (left finger condition), right wrist rheumatoid arthritis (right wrist condition), left wrist rheumatoid arthritis (left wrist condition), left ankle condition, cardiac condition, and skin condition have been remanded for further evaluation.

Service connection was denied for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, left and right knee disorders, psoriatic arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), torn scapula nerves in both upper extremities, neck disorder, low back disorder, and deviated septum.

The Board has found the evidence inadequate to determine if the Veteran's back and left shoulder disabilities are related to his active-duty service, requiring further examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disorder and neck disorder for treatment purposes under 38 U.S.C. § 1710 was dismissed as the issues were withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's request for a Higher-Level Review was not received within one year of the May 1990 rating decision denying his claim for service connection for a back condition. As such, the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and back disability were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The appeal for service connection for a back disability has been dismissed as the claim was fully granted in an October 2022 rating decision. The appeals for service connection for lesion of the scalp, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and right foot disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, and lumbosacral strain, finding that these conditions are not related to active service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's eligibility for a higher level stipend under VA's PCAFC program is being remanded due to new evidence indicating his disability picture has worsened, affecting his ability to self-sustain in the community.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disorders due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal for a higher rating on her lumbar spine disability, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee conditions due to errors in obtaining records from Dr. Nelson and inadequacies in the December 2019 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disability had its onset during his active service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and low back disorder, finding that there is a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is remanded due to the inadequacy of the October 2019 VA examination, which did not adequately address functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee injury pain, and right knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral flat feet and remanded the issues of service connection for lower back condition, left arm painful scar under DC 7804, and left arm painful scar under DC 7805.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as lumbar spondylosis, herniated L5-S1, and chronic pain of the lumbosacral area. The claims for diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total abdominal hysterectomy, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic depressive disorder, right and left ankle tendonitis, bilateral Morton's neuroma, hallux valgus right foot, and hallux valgus left foot, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the evidence of record.