Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since February 24, 2010. Effective date of February 24, 2010, is granted for both TDIU and DEA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection on all issues are remanded due to errors in the decision-making process and the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine, lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an examination report that did not comply with VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various musculoskeletal and gynecological issues, including a hysterectomy, low back disorders, radiculopathies in both lower extremities, and knee disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety, depression, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, sciatic neuropathy of the left and right legs, as well as left and right shoulder degenerative arthritis based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for clarification of the standard used in assessing secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation for the period between July 8, 2019, to September 29, 2021. The Board has granted TDIU during this period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right hand disorder due to missing service treatment records and lack of adequate VA examinations. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) upon readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his back disability is denied. The Board has remanded the issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the September 2014 rating decision denying service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus, lower back condition (lumbar arthritis), lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder arthritis and tendonitis, and left knee condition are all granted service connection. The hearing loss claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral knee condition, and vertigo are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.,No new or relevant evidence has been received that would warrant readjudication of any claim.

The Board has denied service connection for left wrist strain and remanded the claims for chronic right ankle pain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status or the need for regular aid and attendance of another due to his service-connected back disability. The VA will provide a new examination to address these issues.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the initial denial of service connection for urinary frequency due to service-connected lumbar spine disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder and arm, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and cataracts disabilities are being remanded for additional development to address the adequacy of the medical opinions provided.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder and arm, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and cataracts disabilities. The claims are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are granted with an effective date of March 20, 2013.,It was determined that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for TDIU from March 20, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for dental disability. The low back disability is found to have had its onset in active service, with the Veteran's statements supporting his claim being considered.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a contusion of the low back, right thigh and left leg. The Veteran's disability is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a detailed examination.