Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of a low back disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hip disability, and right hip disability. The appeal for a right knee disability is remanded, as well as the one for a low back disability and psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current disability was aggravated during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates have been dismissed as the claims were not filed within one year of the final rating decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and spine disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations, which are necessary to determine if there is a link between the claimed conditions and active duty.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues related to service connection and evaluations for various conditions, including hypertension, hip disabilities, knee disabilities, cervical spine DDD, migraines, and left leg radiculopathy. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to address inconsistencies in previous examination reports.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is being remanded as well, with a focus on whether obesity/weight gain resulting from his service-connected disabilities was a substantial factor in causing his disability and if it would not have occurred but for such factors.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are being remanded to assess the current nature and severity of his conditions, including any flare-ups and functional loss due to repetitive use over time.,The Veteran's right ankle disorder is being remanded to determine whether he experiences flare-ups and their impact on range of motion and extension.,The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is being remanded to consider whether obesity/weight gain resulting from his service-connected disabilities was a substantial factor in causing his disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The claim will be reconsidered with new evidence and an updated medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining his private medical records and inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and provide adequate opinions.

Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease, and osteochondritis dissecans to include osteochondral fracture right ankle.,An effective date prior to December 8, 2017, for service connection for left knee disability and right ankle disability is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's mood disorder is granted as it was caused by the medications taken for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is denied due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for recognition of his August 2, 1994, correspondence as a valid and timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the June 16, 1994, rating decision. The issues of service connection for various disabilities remain pending and must be remanded to allow for proper procedural development.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for low back pain due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's current low back disability is conceded, and a VA examination is needed to determine if it is related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected fracture of distal fibula with exostosis on medial malleolus of the right ankle with degenerative joint disease.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain, but the issue is dismissed as it constitutes a full grant of the benefits sought.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disability.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Veteran's in-service stressors are linked to his current symptoms.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine was found to not meet criteria for a higher rating as it did not manifest as ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.