Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine has been withdrawn, and his claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and housebound is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. He needs an examination to determine if he requires aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and housebound is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. He needs an examination to determine if he requires aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The appeal is based on his service-connected condition, and he received a 40 percent rating effective September 27, 2019.

The Board previously granted service connection for a low back disability and assigned an initial rating of 10 percent. The Veteran appealed this decision, but the appeal was dismissed because he did not challenge the merits of the Board's decision in his notice of disagreement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, chronic lumbar strain, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since February 22, 2019. His TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right hip disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury during service that caused or aggravated her congenital defects. The claim for right hip disability was also denied as there is no medical evidence showing it was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), GERD (secondary to PTSD and duodenal ulcer), and OSA (secondary to PTSD and duodenal ulcer) due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disorders are granted service connection.,The Veteran's right foot skin disorder and left foot skin disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is dismissed as the issue has been fully resolved by an earlier grant of service connection. The claims for service connection for headache disorder and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to his service. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements about back pain following separation from active duty.

Your appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus, sarcoidosis/lymphadenopathy, and a low back disorder has been dismissed.,Your appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for peripheral neuropathy with ulnar nerve involvement of the right upper extremity has also been dismissed. As of February 7, 2008, you were granted a 30% rating for this condition and awarded a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) as of February 1, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine condition and lower extremity radiculopathies, have resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has determined that the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no final decision could be made on the merits of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability has been dismissed. The claim for an increased rating of PTSD prior to June 19, 2020 is granted with a rating of 70 percent. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted for the period prior to June 19, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for upper back disability, left leg strain, and right leg strain to include as secondary to a service-connected disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for migraine headaches and lumbar degenerative disc disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches or 20 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current back disability began in or was otherwise caused by his fall from scaffolding during active-duty training in Wyoming. Service connection will be decided based on the evidence and findings of this examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including as secondary to lumbosacral strain, should be remanded for further development and opinion.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with its February 2020 remand directives and the claims for service connection are again being remanded due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's service periods, inadequate VA examinations, and incomplete medical records.