Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits were restored for 35 days and reimbursed $1,764.00 due to improper withholding of benefits in FY 2012 and 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability in service or within one year after service, and concluding that the condition is not related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability, a compensable rating for scars associated with lumbar spine disability, and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 8, 2021. The AOJ must consider new evidence received after the issuance of the June 2019 SOC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between her current conditions and her active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to insufficient assistance in obtaining private treatment records and an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities and exposure. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his alleged chemical exposures during service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of a low back disorder, finding no new and material evidence. The claim for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure is remanded.,New evidence was submitted but did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the underlying claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, neck disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for a low back disability and has also granted secondary service connection for lumbar spine disorder due to right knee arthritis and residuals of a right knee injury. The cervical spine disorder is still pending as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound criteria is denied as he did not meet the required schedular criteria or confinement conditions prior to June 5, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD, IBS, lumbosacral strain, and left cubital tunnel syndrome are denied as the earliest possible effective date allowable by law is May 15, 2018.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities remain pending.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have aggravated his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate opinions and need for additional evidence. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned to the RO for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar disability, left eye disability, and skin disability to obtain additional records and conduct further examinations. The Veteran will have another opportunity to provide updated treatment records and any relevant private medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine condition, a lumbar spine disorder, a left knee disorder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,After considering all the evidence of record, including the Veteran's testimony and medical opinions, the Board found that there is an approximate balance or near equivalence of the evidence to support the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depressive disorder, TBI, and related disabilities, were denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and back disability, finding that the current disabilities are related to an in-service injury. The Veteran's TDIU award is also considered, leading to the grant of SMC at the housebound rate.,The Veteran was awarded a TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities, but this does not affect his eligibility for SMC as it must be based on a single disability rated as 100%.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU, which was previously granted but with an incorrect effective date.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent throughout the appeal period.