Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including spinal stenosis, first manifested during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee arthritis and right tibia fracture residuals. His right knee degenerative arthritis with residuals of right tibia fracture and meniscal tear are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and additional examination. The issues include PTSD, a headache disability, and a low back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for neck and back disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records from the U.S. Forest Service, and further attempts are needed to obtain these records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and lumbosacral strain, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,For TDIU, the Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements due to his combined disability rating of 20 percent. The issue remains relevant for SMC purposes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether his lumbar spine limitations constitute the functional equivalent of ankylosis, including during flare-ups and/or after repeated use over time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, right ankle disability, prostate cancer residuals, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), and cholecystectomy residuals due to further development being necessary. The AOJ is instructed to obtain SSA records, prepare an ILER, schedule a TERA examination if appropriate, and provide VA examinations and medical opinions as needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, do not meet the threshold for a schedular TDIU prior to February 3, 2021. The Board finds no reasonable possibility of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right hip disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing service medical and personnel records. The VA is required to obtain these records and provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD was denied. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar and thoracic degenerative disc disease, as well as separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed bilateral lung condition, migraine headaches, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder as there was no evidence of these conditions during his military service or a direct relationship to service. The back condition claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back condition and a respiratory condition due to insufficient evidence in the record. The VA is instructed to make additional efforts to obtain relevant records, including those from CBOC Viera prior to 2019, Ireland Army Community Hospital in Ft. Knox, Kentucky, and General Leonard Wood Hospital in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 19, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service.,Both conditions are considered to be directly related to service without requiring any presumption or secondary link.

The Veteran's cervical and left finger laceration claims are denied. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and further development is required. The Veteran's neck and back disabilities are still on appeal for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as tinnitus. Service connection was also granted for hypertrophic calluses of the left foot and right foot.,Service connection was denied for sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted a 40 percent rating prior to June 10, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a need for medical opinions regarding when the Veteran's upper extremity radiculopathy first manifested and whether it is associated with his service-connected neck disability.