Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status or the need for regular aid and attendance of another due to his service-connected back disability. The VA will provide a new examination to address these issues.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the initial denial of service connection for urinary frequency due to service-connected lumbar spine disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder and arm, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and cataracts disabilities are being remanded for additional development to address the adequacy of the medical opinions provided.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder and arm, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and cataracts disabilities. The claims are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are granted with an effective date of March 20, 2013.,It was determined that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for TDIU from March 20, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for dental disability. The low back disability is found to have had its onset in active service, with the Veteran's statements supporting his claim being considered.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a contusion of the low back, right thigh and left leg. The Veteran's disability is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a detailed examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for scoliosis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis, and cervical strain based on the Veteran's contention that these conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for anxiety, PTSD, back disability, headaches, craniopharyngioma, and OSA have all been granted. The Board found that the current diagnoses are etiologically related to in-service stressors and events.

Your claims for service connection have been resolved in full with the grant of benefits. No further action is needed.

Effective dates of December 11, 2015, but no earlier, have been granted for the awards of service connection for lumbar spine and right hip disabilities.,Initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for both conditions are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a low back disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and service connection for plantar fasciitis, and these issues have been dismissed.

The Board has denied the readjudication of claims for service connection for various knee, shoulder, ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities as no new and relevant evidence was received to reopen these claims.

Service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted.,The issue of service connection for sinusitis is dismissed as moot due to the VA RO's independent grant prior to the Board decision.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was evaluated at a 10 percent rating from June 15, 2015 to the present. The Board denied an initial higher rating as the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on range of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lower back disability, finding that there is no evidence showing symptoms warranting a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a thyroid condition and a low back condition due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's hypothyroidism is related to post-service surgery, but it is unclear if this relates to in-service exposure. For the low back condition, there is no evidence of injury in service, and the Board finds that a VA examination is needed.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and bilateral lower extremity disability due to the Veteran's death.