Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 are found to be etiologically related to active service, with the Board granting entitlement to service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the requirements for SMC at the housebound rate prior to April 12, 2011 due to lack of additional disability separate from his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with panic attacks was granted effective January 29, 2021.,The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain were granted effective November 13, 2020.,The Veteran's claims for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy were granted as secondary to the service-connected cervical strain.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain and service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for his cervical spine, lumbar spine, upper extremity, and lower extremity radiculopathies are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of any claims.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the appellant passed away during the pendency of your case. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claim at this time.

The Board dismissed all the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding whether the Veteran's DDD with spinal stenosis is aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including DDD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acute cervical sprain is granted. Service connection for a cervical spine disability other than degenerative arthritis (including cervical spondylosis, stenosis and radiculitis) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound. The Board finds the Veteran should have been provided new medical examinations to assess his current severity and impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, right knee lateral meniscus tear with osteoarthritis, and left knee strain with osteoarthritis due to unclear functional loss during flare-ups and additional loss of function.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for the cervical spine disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,An initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, is granted for the lumbar scar. The Veteran has a painful scar on his lumbar midline.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as it pertains to service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including degeneration of lumbar disc, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, pancreatitis, and ventral hernia. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal for issues related to the reduction of a lumbosacral sprain rating, service connection for migraines, and an increased rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for left ankle disability, bilateral foot disabilities, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, or lumbar spine disability. The right ankle disability is also denied. The claims are being remanded to obtain VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed the remaining claims. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left and right ankle disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and depression.