Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to errors in fulfilling VA's duty to assist, including obtaining medical opinions and examinations. The character of discharge issue is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, lower back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability due to lack of a current disability. The Board also remanded the issues regarding lower back and hip disabilities for further examination and medical nexus opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, erectile dysfunction (ED), right hip disability, left hip disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability due to lack of credible evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, right ankle sprain, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each effective August 25, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural issues, inadequate examination reports, and missing records. The VA will obtain new examinations and confirm all periods of INACDUTRA and ACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, COPD, migraines, a back disability, right and left upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, signet ring gastric carcinoma status post gastrectomy/cholecystectomy, and fibromyalgia have been dismissed. The claim for signet ring gastric carcinoma status post gastrectomy/cholecystectomy is remanded due to a need for updated toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) memo and VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of July 12, 2013, based on his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's DDD with IVDS should be remanded for further evaluation due to a lack of a direct service connection opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right and left patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), lumbosacral strain with associated radiculopathy, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are granted. Attorney fees are eligible from past-due benefits awarded in the May 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's initial higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied, and he is granted initial ratings of 40% each for peripheral neuropathy affecting both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability was granted. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).,Service connection for lumbosacral strain has been established, but the issue of service connection for OSA remains pending due to a remand.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding neurocardiogenic syncope, cholecystectomy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding neurocardiogenic syncope, cholecystectomy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and left lower extremity sciatica, finding that these conditions are related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis is granted service connection.,An initial rating of 40 percent for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis is granted, effective May 20, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, but has remanded his claim for left hip disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and obstructive sleep apnea. As a result, these claims are being remanded to allow for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back condition and his lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left knee scar associated with total left knee arthroplasty is denied. The claims of service connection for right knee and lumbar spine disorders are remanded.