Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a Back Disability (including Arthritis) due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's lay assertions of in-service symptoms are considered, but the VA examiners did not provide adequate nexus opinions based on the provided evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain (claimed as a back strain) was granted. The claims for service connection of the left knee, ankle, elbow, shoulder, wrist, and cardiovascular conditions are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

From April 1, 2019, through October 3, 2019, the Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for his chronic low back condition with lumbar degenerative disc disease.,After October 3, 2019, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of an opinion addressing whether the Veteran's claimed disabilities were caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD with bipolar disorder and obesity.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and right knee disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.,There was no indication of an association between the claimed conditions and toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance, which qualifies him for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination in determining the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The claims of degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with anterior cervical fusion residuals, finding that the condition originated during active service.

New evidence has been submitted that is relevant to the claim of service connection for a low back condition. The claim will be readjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine and Sciatica of the Left Lower Extremity, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted based on her service-connected migraines. The combined rating of all service-connected disabilities is at least 60%, meeting the criteria for SMC housebound.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a chronic disability of the thoracolumbar spine, including strain, degenerative disc disease, stenosis, arthritis, and postoperative fusion, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further review on the merits of the service connection claim for back condition, as new evidence was submitted after the last denial.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and retrolisthesis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified anxiety disorder, concluding that there was no causal relationship between his current mental health condition and active service.

The Board has determined that the January 2021 decision on appeal is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the adequacy of the medical opinion provided by the VA examiner. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, as secondary to his service-connected cervical strain and related conditions, requires further clarification from an appropriate medical professional.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service connected. The neck condition issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the bilateral knees, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain, finding that these conditions are related to active service.