Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder and for obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's back disability, right knee instability, and left knee instability are rated at the lowest possible compensable levels (10 percent), with no higher ratings granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension have also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a left shoulder disability, bilateral wrist and ankle disabilities, and a back disability have been denied. The right shoulder disability, diabetes, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further examination.,The Veteran was not provided with examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of his claimed conditions by VA since those in February 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with prior remand directives and a need for further medical opinion regarding service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a TDIU beginning January 3, 2018.,Prior to July 27, 2017, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. After that date, it was denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 9, 2015 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied. The earliest effective date legally possible has been assigned under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is remanded due to the need for further examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hip disability is dismissed as the benefit was granted in a January 2020 rating decision.,Claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of 20 percent for back and bilateral lower extremity disabilities are denied. The Veteran did not have these conditions prior to February 10, 2015.,Service connection is denied for neck disability as there is no evidence it was incurred or caused by service-connected conditions.,Increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for back and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are remanded. The Veteran's current effective date is February 10, 2015.,Service connection is denied for sleep apnea and asthma as there is no evidence they were incurred or caused by service-connected conditions.,Increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for right knee disability and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, left knee disorder, and back disorder due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded due to conflicting findings in the July 2021 VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, and degenerative disc disease (claimed as lower back) due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has vacated the denial of special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound or based on the need of regular aid and attendance, as the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's discharge from active military service is considered under other than honorable conditions due to being AWOL for over 180 days. The Board found no compelling circumstances warranting the prolonged absence, thus denying VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not caused by his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The appeal regarding the low back disability is dismissed. Service connection for cervical spine and upper extremity disabilities is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service symptoms and that the current disability is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination addressing the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including diagnoses and their relation to service.