Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's OSA and back condition are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions, with obesity considered an intermediate step.,Service connection for rhinosinusitis is granted due to exposure under the PACT Act.

The claim for service connection for sarcoidosis of the right lower lip is dismissed. The claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, back condition, and left knee condition are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disorder or back disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The issue of residuals of heat stroke remains pending as additional evidence and an examination are needed to determine if such condition exists.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability with sciatica is caused by her service-connected bilateral foot conditions, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back condition is related to his military service, including an in-service back strain diagnosis and recurrent back pain.

The Board has decided to remand several service connection claims due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's duty status and treatment records. The issues include allergic rhinitis, avitaminosis (secondary to IBS), dermoid cyst, bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, left tympanoplasty, a back disability, and migraines.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left shoulder, knee, ulna/radius fracture, wrist compound fracture, lumbar compression fracture with degenerative disc disease, and PTSD. The issues include determining service connection for these conditions and assigning appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for additional VR&E services, including training to pursue a medical degree, was granted. The Board found that the Veteran had service-connected disabilities and functional limitations that made it necessary to change his rehabilitation goal from biomedical sciences to medicine.

The Board has remanded the cases due to an outstanding rating reduction of the Veteran's low back disability and because a decision on the increased rating claim could significantly impact the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spinal stenosis, COPD, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence added to the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right sciatic nerve disability are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder/arm disability, lumbar spine disability, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions in the January 2021 VA examination report. The Veteran's statements regarding chronic symptoms since service discharge are found not credible.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as it is related to his military service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted as it is proximately due to a service-connected condition (migraine headaches).,Sleep apnea is also granted as it is proximately due to a service-connected condition (migraine headaches).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and procedural issues, including a need for updated treatment records and an advisory medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; and for an eye disability. The claims for service connection for a low back disability, skin disorder, headaches, and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher ratings are denied.

Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for lumbosacral strain (low back pain).

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities have been reopened, but the Board has determined that service connection is not warranted based on lack of nexus between current disabilities and service. The right hand and left hand disability claims are also remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder and ankle conditions, knee degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy, skin disorders, cervical spine disability, facial injury residuals, TMJ, sleep apnea, headaches, hand tremors, CFS, fibromyalgia, and muscle and joint pain. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate these issues.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was granted. Service connection for the lumbar spine disorder is also granted, with an effective date of October 2018. The issues regarding effective dates for other service-connected disabilities are remanded.