Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's respiratory disorder is not service-connected as it did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty.,There is no competent and credible evidence establishing that the Veteran currently suffers from a right leg impairment, other than radiculopathy, to include as secondary to a back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 2, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not show that he could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeals for service connection on all nine issues due to her AMA opt-in from the August 2024 SSOC.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral).

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. However, the back disability is denied as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals of entitlement to increased disability ratings, initial compensable ratings, and initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, chronic rhinitis, and headaches. The appeal of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and left thumb scar was also dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of headaches, right hand disability, and back disability were dismissed due to the late filing of a VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's sleep apnea disability is at least as likely as not caused by his service connected psychiatric, back, and lower extremity disabilities. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, is found to have begun during active service and has been recurrent since then. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is related to his active-duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, skin conditions, knee issues, and hypertension, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or aggravation.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of dermatitis or eczema, and his claimed back condition, right knee conditions, left knee conditions, hypertension, lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were not caused by service.

The Veteran's ratings for cervical strain, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and lumbosacral strain were reduced from their previous levels due to improvement in the disability. The appeal is denied as these reductions are proper.

The Veteran's service connection claim for minimal lumbar spondylosis is granted. The issue of revising the July 2000 rating decision on the basis of CUE is dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and migraine headaches have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and OSA. The Veteran contends that his current OSA was caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, and will consider each issue individually.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD is granted. The claims for hypertension and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is pending for the entire period prior to April 16, 2021. The AOJ did not obtain SSA records relevant to his TDIU claim before adjudicating it, which constitutes a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board orders remand to consider these records.

The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of both upper extremities are granted as service-connected. The Board found that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by in-service injuries.