Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was not productive of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, and thus a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to a duty to assist error. Specifically, the VA Regional Office did not obtain a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claim for a back condition due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's STRs showing heavy lifting duties and current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current disability and his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disability, back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, hammer toe, pes planus, and gout.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a liver condition and back condition have been denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The claim for an increased rating for right ankle fracture residuals is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a Back Disability (including Arthritis) due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's lay assertions of in-service symptoms are considered, but the VA examiners did not provide adequate nexus opinions based on the provided evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain (claimed as a back strain) was granted. The claims for service connection of the left knee, ankle, elbow, shoulder, wrist, and cardiovascular conditions are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

From April 1, 2019, through October 3, 2019, the Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for his chronic low back condition with lumbar degenerative disc disease.,After October 3, 2019, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of an opinion addressing whether the Veteran's claimed disabilities were caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD with bipolar disorder and obesity.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and right knee disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.,There was no indication of an association between the claimed conditions and toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance, which qualifies him for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination in determining the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The claims of degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with anterior cervical fusion residuals, finding that the condition originated during active service.

New evidence has been submitted that is relevant to the claim of service connection for a low back condition. The claim will be readjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine and Sciatica of the Left Lower Extremity, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted based on her service-connected migraines. The combined rating of all service-connected disabilities is at least 60%, meeting the criteria for SMC housebound.