Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, qualifying him for SMC based on aid and attendance.,Due to his service-connected disabilities, the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing as he requires assistance with daily living activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain a VA examination and additional private treatment records related to his lower back disability, bilateral shin splints, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back strain with degenerative joint disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, PTSD, and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 21, 2016. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia has been granted. The claim for reopening and granting service connection for right ear hearing loss is also granted. Other claims of service connection are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to conflicting evidence and need for clarification on the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The decision also includes remand orders for the remaining issues.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and a left knee disorder, as well as the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to May 21, 2021. The claims are being returned due to failure to obtain requested opinions.

The Veteran's low back disability is service connected as it developed during his active duty service and there is no evidence of pre-service or post-service injury that would disqualify him from receiving service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it is related to his active duty service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to increased ratings for various conditions as the Veteran passed away before a final decision could be made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral leg disorder (sciatica), left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder. The Veteran's appeal was remanded for further action on the issues of secondary service connection for bilateral leg disorder and right knee disorder.,Service connection for a low back disorder is denied as there is no evidence of chronicity during or within one year following separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbar strain and TDIU are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of rating increases for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence or procedural compliance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to comply with previous remands, and needs additional medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is related to his in-service back injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further development of records, including service treatment records and military personnel records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered on its merits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar-spine disorder, shin splints, right-shoulder disorder, left-shoulder disorder, right-wrist disorder, left-wrist disorder, and right-ankle disorder due to an outstanding duty to assist.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection and ratings for disabilities. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed, as are his right upper extremity and lower extremity conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, lower extremity radiculopathy, shoulder, and back conditions due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or event.,The Veteran did not report any knee issues during service. His current degenerative changes are attributed to post-service activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity frostbite residuals, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), prostate cancer, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and gastrointestinal disabilities. The claims were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.