Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability is being remanded for further review, and his left and right ankle disabilities are granted a 20 percent rating each.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 7, 2016, for the grant of service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to a cervical spine disability was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence earlier than June 7, 2016, and subsequent to the last final and binding denial that reasonably can be construed as an informal claim, formal claim, or intent to file a claim for an increased rating for the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, and lumbosacral strain have been granted. The VA has also remanded the cases to obtain updated examinations to assess current severity of his left knee and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and painful surgical scars, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion in a previous VA examination. The Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, including an accident during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding service connection for a low back condition. The AOJ needs to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician to address whether the Veteran's low back condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has been granted. The other claims, including a rating in excess of 30 percent for her psychiatric disorder, are being remanded due to pre-decisional errors.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, along with other conditions, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from January 13, 2017, to March 5, 2018. His TDIU claim is granted for this period.

The Veteran's back and neck disabilities were granted service connection with an effective date of December 31, 1983.,An earlier effective date for the PTSD rating is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease with lower left extremity radiculopathy, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his active-duty service.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of May 14, 2014 for the grant of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The effective dates for Dependents' Educational Assistance are also granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of psychiatric disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and neck strain disability due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right hip and lumbar spine conditions due to new evidence received since the last decision. The Veteran's active military service is alleged to be related to his current conditions, but the VA examiners' opinions are deemed inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination and opinion in response to the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability. The RO must schedule an examination and readjudicate the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine condition, finding no evidence linking his current disorder to service. The Veteran also failed to meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted effective dates of February 5, 2019 for the service connection of degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as low back injury), left lower radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right lower radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). These decisions are subject to the rules and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, finding that it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent vision impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the Veteran is not eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not begin during service and is not related to an in-service injury, thus denying his claim for service connection.