Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective February 13, 2017. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and recurrent cerebrovascular accident/stroke residuals. Service connection is remanded for Type II diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a low back disability due to her failure to report for a VA examination. The examiner is requested to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service or her service-connected bilateral tibial stress fractures.

The Veteran's PTSD is not currently rated at a higher level due to its current severity.,Hypertension has been granted based on the PACT Act, and service connection for a back disability and left foot drop have also been established.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board notes that there are no compensable limitations of motion or instability present to warrant a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was not timely filed within one year from the date of the March 1, 2021, notification letter denying service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbosacral strain with instability and arthritis, cervical strain with arthritis, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left elbow disability, neurological disabilities of the lower extremities (sciatic radiculopathy and sciatic neuropathy), and neurological disabilities of the upper extremities (carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc and cervical spinal stenosis. The claims are being remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's combined evaluation for his service-connected disabilities did not change after the February 2021 rating decision, so he is denied retroactive payment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in the need for aid and attendance or housebound status, as his needs were due to non-service-connected conditions. Therefore, SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status was denied.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a kidney disorder. The claims are being remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a kidney disorder. The claims are being remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a kidney disorder. The claims are being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a duty-to-assist error. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially and materially to his death.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the previously denied claims of service connection for left eye vision condition and back condition has been received. The AOJ should readjudicate these claims in the first instance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the current rating of 10% already reflects the maximum schedular rating available.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as her hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable rating schedule.,The claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, low back, neck, right-hand, and left-hand disabilities are remanded due to new relevant evidence having been received since their last adjudication.,The claim for service connection for stress incontinence is remanded as new relevant evidence has been received since its last adjudication.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded as new relevant evidence has been received since its last adjudication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet and lower back conditions due to potential errors in the initial processing of his claim documents, including a possible loss or destruction of his service treatment records. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for service connection and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's OSA and his service-connected conditions, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his service-connected left elbow, right knee, low back, left ulnar neuropathy, and hypertension disabilities have been denied. The RO also remanded several issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain claim is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the extent of his disability, including pain and functional loss.