Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for anxiety disorder and/or panic attacks is dismissed. The right shoulder disability has been granted a rating of 30%. Other issues have been remanded.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with a 40% rating, effective May 26, 2023, and found the appellant eligible to receive attorney fees based on past-due benefits resulting from this decision.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's symptoms justify this increase.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.,The decision also acknowledges that there is reasonable evidence suggesting entitlement to secondary service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and back disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation effective October 1, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his limitations on walking, sitting, standing, lifting, carrying, and sleep disturbances.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, including as due to dioxin and/or herbicide exposure or as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if their diabetes mellitus type II was caused by or worsened by PTSD medication.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for lumbosacral strain is denied as the claim was not continuously pursued within one year of the July 1976 rating decision, and the supplemental claim was received more than a year after the July 1976 decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Additional development is needed to consider the lay statements and other evidence submitted in connection with his Supplemental Claim and Higher-Level Review Request.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI does not require the need for personal healthcare services provided on a daily basis in his home by a person who is licensed to provide such services or who provides such services under the regular supervision of a licensed healthcare professional. The effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the requirements necessary to warrant special monthly compensation at any rate.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims at this time.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains (limitation of flexion) are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating more than 20 percent.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not meet the criteria for VA purposes at separation.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with continuity of symptoms from service to present.

Your service connection claims for back, left ankle, left foot, left knee, and left shoulder conditions have already been granted in full. The appeals are dismissed as there are no longer pending adverse determinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine injury and cervical spine injury due to insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in a January 2021 VA back examination and issues related to TDIU. A new examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine condition was dismissed as the NOD was filed more than one year after the April 2017 rating decision denying the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The condition is considered proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities.,SMC at the housebound rate prior to June 1, 2019 is denied as she does not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance due to errors in decision-making process.