Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that there were errors in the VA's duty to assist and remanded both issues of service connection for back disability and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities, as well as obtain relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal as it pertained to conditions and issues related to service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right wrist, lower back, right hip, and left hip conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, bilateral knee disabilities, and lumbar spine disability due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran must be provided with addendum opinions addressing his in-service stressors, injuries, and complaints.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an effective date prior to June 19, 2017, for a temporary evaluation of 100 percent based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence for a lumbar spine disability. The issue was not properly before the Board due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claims of lumbosacral strain and cervical strain due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) due to his service-connected disabilities and entitlement to SMC at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) due to need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain relevant medical records from Lakeland Pain Clinic, which may be relevant to the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that her service-connected PTSD and/or back disability did not cause her obesity, which is necessary to establish secondary service connection. The VA examiners provided more persuasive opinions than the private examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and back disabilities. Service connection was granted for residuals of a fractured nose.

The Board has restored service connection for right and left leg sciatic radiculopathy due to the erroneous severance decision.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and knee conditions and psychiatric disorder, prevent him from securing or maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of at least 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The issues include right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left foot disorder (also claimed as left Achilles), lumbar spine disorder, inguinal hernia, bilateral lower radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, cervical spine, thoracolumbar myofascial syndrome, left wrist tendonitis with ganglion cyst and carpal tunnel syndrome, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, and left shoulder disability due to a lack of adequate development.

The Veteran's appeal to the Board for service connection of major depression and back disability from June 2019 and January 2020 rating decisions has been dismissed as untimely.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the decision and a need for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has already decided the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and low back disability, as well as the effective dates for these increased ratings. The appeal is dismissed because it would violate the doctrine of claim preclusion.

The Board has restored the Veteran's lumbar strain rating from 40 percent to 20 percent effective July 1, 2020. The medical evidence did not show improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased compensation ratings for bilateral hip disabilities and granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy.