Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, finding no causal relationship between the condition and the Veteran's right ankle disability. The decision also denied secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations addressing pre-service conditions and aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination, which did not provide sufficient information about his service-connected lumbar strain, IVDS and degenerative arthritis. The case will be reassessed with a new examination.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current diagnosis and in-service injury support his claim, but further examination is needed to determine if there is a relationship between his current condition and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy due to a cervical spine disability. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions in its August 2023 decision, and now needs to provide a new opinion on whether the Veteran's back conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective July 1, 2019.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is established as of July 1, 2019.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 are found to be etiologically related to active service, with the Board granting entitlement to service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the requirements for SMC at the housebound rate prior to April 12, 2011 due to lack of additional disability separate from his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with panic attacks was granted effective January 29, 2021.,The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain were granted effective November 13, 2020.,The Veteran's claims for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy were granted as secondary to the service-connected cervical strain.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain and service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for his cervical spine, lumbar spine, upper extremity, and lower extremity radiculopathies are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of any claims.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the appellant passed away during the pendency of your case. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claim at this time.

The Board dismissed all the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding whether the Veteran's DDD with spinal stenosis is aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including DDD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acute cervical sprain is granted. Service connection for a cervical spine disability other than degenerative arthritis (including cervical spondylosis, stenosis and radiculitis) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound. The Board finds the Veteran should have been provided new medical examinations to assess his current severity and impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, right knee lateral meniscus tear with osteoarthritis, and left knee strain with osteoarthritis due to unclear functional loss during flare-ups and additional loss of function.