Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added to the record, and an additional examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's spine disability is related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and adjustment disorder with mixed emotional reaction (claimed as depression), are denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar strain are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine disability, depressive disorder, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The case is also being remanded to consider an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is related to his service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and bilateral heel spurs are denied as the evidence does not support a connection to service.,Service connection for plantar fasciitis is denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The Veteran's heel spurs are found not connected to any period of service.,GERD is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relationship to service.,Right wrist condition is remanded as the VA records do not support a connection to service, despite the Veteran's testimony and history.,Lumbar spine condition is remanded due to lack of sufficient medical evidence connecting it to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, other than MDD/unspecified depressive disorder. The appeals for higher ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative lumbar disc disease, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremity, and bronchitis and sleep apnea have also been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's chronic mechanical lumbar spine syndrome with left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability characterized as lumbar degenerative disc disease, lumbar spinal stenosis, and herniated lumbar disc. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements of experiencing symptoms since discharge from military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, qualifying for TDIU. The Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, thus SMC on the basis of aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and increased rating for osteoarthritis, right knee are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection for a back condition is denied as less likely related to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a lung disability, including COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and emphysema. The Veteran's right ring finger, back, cervical spine, and psychiatric disabilities have been found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 10, 2012. Service connection has also been denied for a right foot disability and a right hip disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and remanded the issue of whether preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional examinations and development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and SSA earnings statements. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 24, 2021. The RO has remanded the issue of whether a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is warranted prior to that date and since then.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting an increase in severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of his left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his TDIU claim based on his thoracolumbar spine disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lower back condition is service-connected. The left hip condition issue, increased rating for tuberculosis, COPD and asthma secondary to tuberculosis issues are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board finds that he is capable of sedentary employment despite his physical limitations.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and right knee disorder as secondary to the Veteran's left knee disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were related to his active service or service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was granted, and his claim for higher ratings for knee disability is remanded. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.