Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back strain was denied in the November 2012 rating decision, and it is now being readjudicated due to new evidence submitted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot condition is remanded as there are duty-to-assist errors prior to the August 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal was reinstated due to the VA Form 9 being timely filed despite not receiving proper notice of the May 2018 Statement of the Case. The Board found that the representative did not receive timely notice and thus the appeal is considered valid.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is due to service-connected disabilities, leading to the grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC by reason of being housebound is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected back and lower extremity disabilities resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance as of January 4, 2014. Effective from that date, he is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and readjudicated the low back disability claim. The Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is found to be related to his service-connected left great toe and ankle disability.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted as secondary to a service-connected condition (left great toe and ankle).

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to tinnitus, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease is etiologically linked to his active-duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in previous examination reports and failure to evaluate certain disorders.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and spondylolisthesis from July 21, 1973, to February 7, 2017, and entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with service-connected back disability. The remand is due to a duty-to-assist error regarding SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, tinnitus, squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate and tongue, and left shoulder osteoarthritis and impingement syndrome have been readjudicated. The claims for left knee disability and left shoulder osteoarthritis and impingement syndrome are granted, while those for thoracolumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate and tongue remain denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) has been granted due to active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. The claims for Left Shoulder Disability, Right Pectoral Disability, and Low Back Disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and scars status post knee replacement were denied. The appeal was remanded for further action on the issues of service connection for low back pain and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board has denied service connection for the right hip, left hip, and right ankle conditions. The cervical spine condition and lumbosacral strain (low back strain) are remanded due to insufficient examination or opinion.

Service connection is granted for bilateral dry eye syndrome, tinnitus, and migraine headaches. Service connection is denied for acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, left knee disability loss, left hip disability, right foot disability loss, lumbar spine disability, and skin rash.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further review of his claims, including a determination on compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the O level.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression. The case is being remanded to consider the merits of his claims for lower back disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, including diagnoses of arthritis, herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar stenosis, foraminal stenosis, and left lumbar radicular pain. The VA will obtain a medical opinion to determine if these disabilities are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for back, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and need for further clarification of the Veteran's back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, neck condition, and alcohol abuse disorder due to incomplete records from his active military service.