Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's SMC at the 'L' rate is based on his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected paranoid schizophrenia and bilateral upper extremity radiculitis. His remaining service-connected disabilities combine to more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent, qualifying him for a higher level of SMC 'P'.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied. The Board found that the disability has been rated at its maximum and no higher ratings are warranted. For his TDIU claim, the Veteran was granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's left knee strain is rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating due to limited flexion.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition is rated at 20 percent, and there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board dismissed the request to reopen a service connection claim for a back disorder on the basis of new and relevant evidence because proper claims processing procedures have not been followed.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, back, and left knee disabilities based on the evidence showing these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right bicep disability, left bicep disability, right thigh disability, and left thigh disability are granted. Service connection for the right bicep disability, left bicep disability, right thigh disability, and left thigh disability is granted based on exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's foot ulcers and kidney disability are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after separation from service. The back disability was productive of forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's kidney disability and his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for scars on the back of the neck, finding that they are related to cysts incurred during active service. The other claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities resulting in loss of use of both lower extremities. The appeal seeking a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of individual unemployability prior to January 29, 2018. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities but needs further review by the Director, Compensation Service due to the need for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his active service, but the VA medical opinions provided were inadequate. The case is being remanded for a new examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for effective dates prior to April 6, 2020, for the award of separate 20% ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve.,The Board also found that the Veteran is eligible for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities resulting in loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains are granted as service connection. The Veteran's musculoskeletal bilateral foot disability, aggravated during service, is also granted.,Service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and a skin disability of the feet, remains pending due to remand.

The Veteran's SMC was reduced due to the removal of his single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent. The Board found that he is no longer in receipt of a 100 percent rating for any single service-connected disability, thus denying his appeal to restore SMC.

The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance effective August 2, 2018. The appeal seeking SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as moot due to the award of SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back, neck, left wrist, right wrist, right knee, and right shoulder disorders. The appeal is allowed to that extent only.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his current condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,The effective date of service connection for PFB was denied because there were no formal claims filed prior to November 6, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU rating is denied as there was no prior informal, formal, or inferred claim for TDIU. The increase in disability occurred more than one year before the April 30, 2020 application.