Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's August 2019 VA Form 9 as a valid notice of disagreement to the August 2018, September 2018, January 2019, and March 2019 rating decisions due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms during and since service are credible.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and for TDIU has been granted with effective dates of August 8, 2016, and May 8, 2017 respectively.,PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment since the date of claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted. The claims for diabetes, lumbar disc disease, right shoulder arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome were denied.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 8, 2019 for service connection and increased rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right knee strain with meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament tears, and OSA with asthma. The appeal for a higher evaluation for OSA with asthma was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for deviated septum and degenerative disc disease with IVDS due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The VA medical opinions are inadequate, and additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain (claimed as low back pain) and arthritis bilateral hands have been granted service connection. A 60 percent disability rating for asthma has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck condition, diagnosed as cervical spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have continued since.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service due to carrying heavy equipment during patrols in Iraq or training ruck marches.

The Veteran's migraines are granted with a 30 percent evaluation from May 8, 2021. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ankle strain, right knee pain, and thoracolumbar strain (low back pain).

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, right hip osteoarthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis and left total knee arthroplasty with residual surgical scar associated with left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including OSA with asthma, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, TBI, and a back condition, was denied. The case is remanded to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, but the claim of a compensable rating for foot condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back/thoracolumbar spine condition and neck (claimed as musculoskeletal/neck/upper back/cervical spine) have been dismissed as moot because the conditions were granted in a September 2023 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service back pain and his current condition.

The Veteran's mental health conditions (panic disorder with agoraphobia and PTSD) and lower back condition (degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease) are now service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for flatus is denied because it does not represent a disability that qualifies for VA compensation purposes. The Board finds the Veteran has no current disability for which he can seek service connection. For his low back disability, the Board finds there was an error in failing to obtain records of treatment at the USAF hospital and remands for further action.

The Veteran's left knee condition, bilateral pes planus, and back condition are all granted. The Veteran is awarded a 10% rating for her left knee condition. Service connection is granted for bilateral pes planus. However, the service connection claim for the Veteran's back condition is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for flatus is denied as it does not represent a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Board finds the Veteran's low back disability may be related to his in-service injury, but an additional examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and high blood pressure have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right leg condition, right wrist condition, and lumbosacral strain.,The VA examination scheduled for the Veteran will address his right leg condition.