Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as his conditions did not meet criteria for increased ratings in the year preceding the November 2021 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals status post nasal reconstruction was denied, while his TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the need for an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine disorder and TDIU, so the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for PTSD prior to January 26, 2021 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for DEA benefits prior to January 26, 2021 is denied.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to the presence of a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for multilevel lumbar DJD/DDD with underlying congenital spinal stenosis secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disability, hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to service-connected hypertension.,Service connection is also granted for hypertension.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for low back disability. The underlying issue is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current back pain to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, radiculopathy affecting the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy affecting the right lower extremity. The Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury were also denied.,There is no evidence of record supporting the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including neck disability, back disability, and radiculopathies. The claims were initially denied in February 2013 due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine, with degenerative disc disease and chronic strain is granted due to new and relevant evidence having been submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability due to duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the March 2021 VA back examination report, and a new examination is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic back condition during active duty or within one year after separation. The Board concluded that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease is more likely due to natural aging than military service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 13, 2017 are denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her scar is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in the initial rating decision. A new opinion is needed to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his back pain and its continuity since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied, while her TDIU and SMC on the basis of statutory housebound status were granted.

The Board has identified errors in obtaining the Veteran's Reserve service records and remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records. The issues of service connection for back and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claim for a low back disability as moot because it was granted in a previous decision. The right shoulder disability claim is granted based on evidence showing its onset during active duty service.

Effective dates of September 2, 2020 and January 23, 2020 have been granted for the awards of service connection for painful low back scars and lower extremity radiculopathies.,A temporary total rating has been granted from January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021 for a back disability.