Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. However, the Board granted a TDIU effective from November 6, 2019, based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not establish an in-service injury, disease, or event for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a back condition, head injury (including concussions), neck condition, and fibromyalgia on the basis that there is no current disability related to these conditions.

An effective date of May 22, 2019, but no earlier, is granted for the award of service connection for fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his fibromyalgia is denied as the highest schedular rating available (40%) has been assigned and there is no basis for extraschedular consideration.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lower back condition is denied. The current 20% rating is the highest schedular rating available based on forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to a lack of adequate examination at the time of service connection.

The Veteran's nerve condition, pes planus, metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, and arthritis of the bilateral feet are granted. The back condition and valvular heart disease secondary to service-connected hypertension are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depression and anxiety disorder, was found to be causally linked to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. His tinnitus was also granted based on credible reports of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claims for back and left knee conditions are remanded due to inadequate opinions in the March 2022 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic lumbar strain is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination and lack of private medical records. The Veteran's lower back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability (unspecified depressive disorder and insomnia), and sleep apnea due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The issues will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on this need.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, left ankle instability, lower back condition, and right knee pain as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his back disability was denied. The claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertensive heart disease with fatigue and shortness of breath, hypertension based on the PACT Act, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a right hip disorder were all denied.

Your service connection claims for a lumbar spine disability and a right knee disability have been granted, effective from June 29, 2021. The Board has dismissed your appeals as the claims were fully addressed in the December 2023 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain (claimed as back pain), to include as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA medical opinion and the need for an updated examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with spondylosis, arthritis, and disc degeneration and cervical spine spondylosis with moderate disc degeneration due to inadequate VA examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, which has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left knee disability, low back disability, and hemorrhoids have been denied. The VA has determined that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in any of these cases.