Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an increased rating for his right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine arthritis and right shoulder arthritis. Service connection was denied for kidney cyst and adrenal disorder, both of which are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral spine and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examination and medical nexus opinions. Additional development is required to address whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) appeals are granted, but the Board finds that remand is necessary for further development of his service-connected low back disability, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to determine the appropriate rating for his low back disability, as well as to establish service connection for a psychiatric condition. The issue of total disability based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found that the current lumbar spine disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease and is not shown to have been caused or aggravated by another service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain disability and tension headaches has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10% prior to November 7, 2021 and 20% from that date onwards. The appeal for higher ratings in both periods has been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to incomplete records and need for clarification of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hand disability, back disability, and disability manifested by residuals of a heat stroke. The claims are therefore being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip disability, lumbar spine disability, and ED. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow, back, and right leg disabilities due to incomplete development of records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further action.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to exposure during the Persian Gulf War. The right elbow strain, thoracolumbar spine and sacroiliac joint arthritis, right knee strain, left knee strain, PTSD, left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain are all granted with appropriate ratings. Service connection for chest condition with pain and palpitations is denied. Service connection for left hand spasm and right hand spasm is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development of evidence regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of flare-ups prior to January 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ingrown toenails, bilateral hearing loss, internal bleeding, acid reflux, neck disability, and low back disability has been denied.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis or impairment related to these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of ingrown toenails, bilateral hearing loss, internal bleeding, acid reflux, neck disability, or low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asbestosis and/or COPD, is being remanded due to the need for further development. The low back disability has been granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at 20 percent from March 30, 2017 to June 15, 2022. The Board granted a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal for this rating period. TDIU was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected disability precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.