Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted with an effective date of September 23, 2021. The TDIU was awarded due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error regarding an examination for the low back disability. The appellant's service connection claim is being returned for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The VA must obtain a new opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound benefits is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 20, 2019 for service connection for lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 25, 2019 for service connection for left knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar strain, bilateral knee strains, and lower extremity compartment syndromes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since his military discharge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The VA examiners provided opinions based on a lack of evidence, without fully considering the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding functional ankylosis and flare-ups.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his conditions prior to certain dates.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with depressive disorder not otherwise specified was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded as it has been nearly seven years since he last underwent a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorders including anxiety and depression with PTSD, foot pain (plantar fasciitis), and back condition are all granted. The claim for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 23, 2020 is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, shin, hip or pelvis disabilities and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for low back disability.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and evaluation, including service connection claims for back disability, left ankle disability, left heel disability, and hemorrhoids. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities are currently rated based on their service-connected status.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and left hip disabilities due to a lack of VA examination reports. The Veteran's representative indicated that she missed the examinations due to medical reasons, and the examiner will need to provide an opinion on whether her disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, specifically her back disability and right hip and wrist disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received after a previous Supplemental Statement of the Case. The issues include the cause of death, intracranial hemorrhage, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, hypertension, and eye disorder.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability was reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current back disabilities are related to his physical activities in service, including running with boots and carrying heavy rucksacks.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, including intervertebral disc degeneration and sacroiliac joint pain. The Veteran's assertions of knee disabilities are denied as there is no current evidence of such conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disability, low back disability, cervical spine (neck) disability, vertigo (dizziness), and eye disability are not service-connected for accrued benefits purposes.