Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

Your service connection claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and left hand disorders are being remanded to the VA for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD, TBI, headaches, bilateral knee disability, back disability, left shoulder disability, and heart disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a back condition due to additional development being needed, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient aggravation opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and its relation to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for his lumbar spine disability was denied. He also received initial compensable evaluations for his cervical laminectomy fusion scar and L1-L4 decompression scar.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a back disorder has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, and lumbosacral strain prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic low back strain and degenerative joint disease of the left hip with limitation of abduction due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need new, current evaluations to determine his range of motion in weightbearing and non-weightbearing planes.

The Veteran's former attorney, J.S., is eligible for attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded in the January 2021 rating decision. However, the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider the issue of reasonableness of these fees as it must first go through a motion to the Office of General Counsel (OGC).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, as he is able to perform his daily activities without regular assistance.

The Board has determined that the reduction in ratings for lumbar arthritis and left shoulder disability were not proper, and thus restored the original ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, but has remanded his right and left knee disability claims due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition is related to injuries sustained during service and granted service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted, but his claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in October 2020 is insufficient to decide the claims and has therefore remanded for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 3, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy and sciatic compression/lumbosacral plexopathy have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service records and unreadable medical documentation. The AOJ is instructed to verify her periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), obtain any missing personnel records, and provide the Veteran another opportunity to submit additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his lumbar spine disability was denied, with a 40% rating granted effective March 30, 2021.,An earlier effective date of August 27, 2016 for the initial 10% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 30, 2021 remains denied.