Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

Service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Additional examinations will be performed, and the Veteran will be provided with updated VCAA notice.

Service connection is granted for back condition and asthma.,The Veteran's right shoulder, bilateral knee, and headache conditions are remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, disorder manifested by joint pains, digestive disorder, and back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal concerning several service connection issues, including for cervical condition, right lower extremity condition, left lower extremity condition, left ankle condition, left plantar fasciitis, lumbar spine back condition, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and to provide the Veteran with a comprehensive examination for his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and right ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities. The claim for low back pain is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to be less than 30 degrees or have manifested favorable ankylosis.,Service connection for rhinitis (sinus condition) was granted, effective from April 2023.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted, with effective dates of August 24, 2021. The Veteran now has a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain, 20% ratings for left carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical strain, and tinnitus is service connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral or cervical strain (spina bifida, also claimed as chronic, mechanical low back pain) because a supplemental claim was already pending before the AOJ.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve and right femoral nerve are both rated at 10 percent, which the Board also finds insufficient to warrant a higher rating.,Both knee disabilities (left and right patellofemoral pain syndrome) are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board does not find that they meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, neck disability, and back disability due to procedural errors in the VA examinations conducted in February 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD due to insufficient VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of her back and shoulder conditions, as well as a lack of sufficient information in the July 2022 VA examination for PTSD.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the September 2021 rating decision and has ordered further development to verify the appellant's alleged active duty Reserve service dates. The issues on appeal are now remanded for readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have BHL, his lumbar DDD is not manifested by ankylosis or forward flexion at 60 degrees or less, his right lower extremity radiculopathy does not meet criteria for a higher rating, his right hip strain does not meet criteria for a higher rating, and his tinnitus does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical or lumbar spine disability and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim. The evidence is against finding an in-service injury, event, or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for depression separate from service-connected PTSD and residuals of a L4 fracture of the lumbar spine are denied due to lack of current diagnoses.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is remanded as evidence does not establish its relationship to her military service or TERA exposure.,The Veteran's headaches are remanded as evidence does not establish their relationship to her military service or TERA exposure.,The Veteran's sinusitis is remanded as evidence does not establish its relationship to her military service or TERA exposure.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol and cannabis use disorder is rated at 100 percent effective March 27, 2021.,Effective March 27, 2021, the Veteran's migraine including migraine variants are rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a thoracic spine disability due to a lumbar spine disability because there is a need for a VA examination and proper development.