Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural errors and a need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensable evaluation have been denied. The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a lower back disability due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete record review. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service symptoms are considered, but an addendum opinion is needed from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with hyperlordosis is dismissed because the November 2020 and April 2021 rating decisions do not address this issue.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc and bulging disc of the lumbar spine was denied. The claims for eligibility to specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits, and total disability based on individual unemployability were also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's passing, and no further action can be taken on these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of thoracolumbar spine and right knee arthritis due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The appeal as to entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with right hand radiculopathy is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted from December 25, 2006 to May 1, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular rating criteria for a TDIU, and his unemployability is due to his chronic pain conditions. The Board grants TDIU from September 15, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical conditions, including knee, hip, and back issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and a need for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues related to his lumbosacral spine, wrist, and hand disabilities has been dismissed as the claim for headaches was granted in May 2023.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is causally related to his service, specifically his combat injuries during active duty. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all six issues have been dismissed due to procedural defects in the appeal process.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective February 15, 2012. The Board found the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left hip condition, right shoulder condition, back condition, and left-hand condition. The appeal for service connection of right knee pain is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection.,The Veteran's GERD is secondary to his depressive disorder and thus also granted service connection.,There is no evidence of a lumbar spine disability in service, and it is denied.,Sleep apnea was not found in service and is also denied.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a loss or loss of use of any lower extremity or upper extremity, and thus he does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing.