Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder, diagnosed as thoracolumbar strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis and dermatitis of the scalp, claimed as a head fungus, are granted. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and bilateral shin splints remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical care provided at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, on July 30, 2018 is granted. The decision was based on the fact that the treatment was rendered due to a service-connected disability and that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity disabilities are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the examination report. A new VA examination is needed to address the current nature and severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examination. The effective date claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and dismissed the claim for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are rated at their maximum levels. The Board has granted a TDIU based on her service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and has dismissed his lung disability claim. The decision also reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluation of lumbar spine disability, service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, and bilateral hearing loss disability have been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for arthralgia, bilateral knees has been reopened and granted to limited extent due to new evidence received since the July 2007 denial.

The Veteran's right knee disability status post total knee replacement is granted as service connection. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, cervical/lumbar spine disability, hypertension (HTN), and abnormal heart rate are denied.

The Veteran's IBS was granted service connection due to its presumptive nature under the Gulf War veteran provisions. Service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Low Back Disability were denied as they are not considered separate disabilities.

The Veteran's special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted, effective from his death in December 2021.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been submitted and the claims for service connection must be remanded to allow for further review by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for tinea pedis/unguium, a skin condition of the face (previously claimed as burns to face), lumbosacral sprain, bilateral foot condition, bilateral ankle condition, and pelvic muscle strain are all remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations addressing current nature and severity of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for neck, right arm, back, bilateral hip, right knee, and left ankle disorders as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his back disability was denied prior to May 4, 2016. After that date, he received a 40% rating effective January 10, 2023.,For left lower extremity radiculopathy, the Veteran received a 10% rating prior to January 2, 2015 and a 20% rating after January 2, 2015. A higher rating is denied for both periods.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to insufficient compliance with previous remands and the need for an additional medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's low back disorder. The examiner is requested to determine if the Veteran currently has a low back disorder that manifested in service or is related to his military service, and whether it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for left foot disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for lumbar disorder.

The Veteran's back brace caused wear and tear to her clothing, but the knee brace did not. The skin condition causing damage to clothing is not service-connected.