Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, as he is unable to perform many daily activities without assistance due to his orthopedic and neurological impairments.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the claims for service connection of right shoulder, back, right hip, right wrist, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's pain disorders are being evaluated in light of recent legal developments regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at 40% prior to April 18, 2023, and in excess of 40% thereafter. The appeal has been denied as the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease with right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the claims for a bilateral vision disability, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea as they were withdrawn by the Claimant with assistance from his attorney.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, and thus grants a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to February 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the appeals for some disabilities are remanded due to lack of medical examinations and opinions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a lower back condition, finding that the earliest possible effective date is November 14, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and lumbar strain, finding that the Veteran's conditions were first incurred during her military service. The decision also found in favor of reopening the claim for service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate medical opinions, lack of in-person examinations, and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity disability, jaw disability, bilateral knee disability, left and right shin splints, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck/cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left hand and wrist condition, diverticulosis, bilateral hearing loss, lower back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and right hip condition. The remand requests additional medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 11, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an incomplete medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The matter is being sent back for further development and a new addendum opinion.

The Veteran's right ankle injury is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active duty and continuity since then.,Service connection for low back condition, lung scarring, residuals of pneumonia, and mild lingular scarring is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of these conditions.,Service connection for joint and muscle pain, headaches, memory loss, and fatigue is also remanded as there are no clear findings or opinions regarding Gulf War Syndrome.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Trinka Davis Veteran's Village Clinic.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition and a back condition, finding no evidence of current disabilities or causation related to service.,Secondary service connection claims for numbness and tingling in the upper and lower extremities were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis / osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine at L5-S1, and intervertebral disc syndrome. The Veteran's current lower back condition is considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a deviated septum has been reopened, and the Board finds that his testimony regarding an in-service motor vehicle accident is new and material evidence. Service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease is granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for inguinal hernia, left knee condition, and right knee condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.