Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal fusion, spinal stenosis, and dorsalgia, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, are now granted service connection. The effective dates for these grants have not been established due to the lack of a prior claim.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, lower back condition, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, anxiety disorder, back disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The claim for service connection for residuals of a concussion is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal concerning diabetes and a low back disability has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, lumbar retrolisthesis, a vertebral fracture, and DDD (back disability), as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the back disability. The decision is based on evidence showing an in-service fall causing a back injury that led to current diagnoses.

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

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical strain with spondylosis have been granted service connection as they are found to be related to his active duty service.,Tinnitus has also been granted service connection, attributed to in-service exposure to hazardous noise.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to posttraumatic headache, insomnia, left ankle condition, lumbosacral strain (lower back), and chest pain. The appeal was dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and back disability have been granted due to the submission of new evidence. The AOJ is required to readjudicate these claims.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, left knee condition, right knee condition, and sinusitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic laryngeal papillomatosis.

The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including effective date determinations and service connection determinations. The Veteran's service records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital are requested to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition and bilateral foot neuropathy due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ will need to obtain an appropriate medical opinion to properly determine the etiology of the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is also remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding its severity without considering medication effects.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability was withdrawn. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis pursuant to the PACT Act is granted. The claims for lumbar spine, cervical spine, heart, and GERD disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as he did not have a diagnosis of PTSD at any time during the appeal period. However, his acquired psychiatric disorder, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with PTSD-like symptoms, is granted as it is related to service.,The Veteran's right ankle sprain is granted as it first manifested in service and was incurred therein.,The Veteran's chronic lower back disability is granted as it is secondary to his now service-connected right ankle sprain.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation and service connection was denied due to a late filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy prior to March 18, 2021 is being remanded due to the need to consider the effects of medication used by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate development of evidence, specifically failing to provide a VA examination or medical opinion regarding his claimed bilateral ankle, knee, low back, and left shoulder conditions. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for headaches and low back disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The Veteran's statements regarding the onset and course of his conditions will be considered, as well as any potential link between tinnitus and these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain.