Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to pre-existing scoliosis and in-service lumbar strain, requiring further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder due to procedural errors in obtaining an examination.

The Board denied service connection for left knee condition, back condition, and bilateral lower extremities sciatica as there is no evidence of current disabilities or impairment related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine strain, and cervical spine strain. The most probative medical evidence did not link these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and intervertebral disc syndrome, is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The rating for the right knee instability remains remanded, as does the ratings for left knee strain and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's electric wheelchair, prescribed for his service-connected spinal condition, is found to cause wear and tear on his clothing. The Board grants an annual clothing allowance for the year 2021.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a duty-to-assist error in the August 2019 decision. The Veteran's representative argued that VA should have clarified how the January 2018 VA examiner reached their opinion regarding the onset of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and relevant evidence supports this determination. The decision also resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not timely filed, and thus he did not have a valid appeal to review.

The Veteran's diagnosed intervertebral disc degeneration, spondylosis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and low back pain.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 17, 2020, for service connection of lumbar degenerative disc disease is denied. The effective date remains at January 17, 2020.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and a lumbar spine disability. The appeal was remanded to obtain updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development, including an examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and a retrospective opinion regarding its severity during flare-ups or with repeated use over time.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as arthritis, had its onset during service and has been continuous since separation. The Board granted service connection for the back disability based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's right wrist and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded for further development as the Board found that additional evidence is needed to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has reopened the claims for TBI residuals, acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition with bilateral lower extremity numbness, right ankle condition, right heel condition, skin condition, and respiratory condition due to new and material evidence. These issues are remanded for further development.,The Board has also reopened the claims for these conditions but has not assigned a rating or effective date as the appeal is still in process.

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been granted a 20% rating since February 9, 2018. The left knee disability has also been granted a 20% rating since February 9, 2018.