Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no evidence of a claim prior to September 26, 2016.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition due to new and material evidence, but the case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate previous examinations. A new examination is needed with a retrospective opinion on the severity of his service-connected back disability and peripheral neuropathy, including during flare-ups.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, ventral hernia, urethritis, and hemorrhoids as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.,Service records show some complaints of back pain in 1965 and shoulder pain in 1965. However, no chronic disabilities were noted on separation examination.

The Veteran's claim for SMC due to the need for aid and attendance was denied as there is no persuasive evidence showing he required regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for a seizure disorder was granted, while appeals for other conditions were denied. Service connection for the previously claimed conditions is not established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to evaluate his service-connected knee and back disabilities, as the current evidence is insufficient.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, bilateral hip pain, and neck condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity amputation.,A rating higher than 40 percent for left knee traumatic below-joint amputation is denied.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the October 2018 remand instructions and thus, the matters must be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to an inadequate medical opinion. The examiner is requested to provide a thorough rationale for any findings, including considering imaging results from June 1980.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral ankle arthritis, low back strain, right bicep injury, and right foot scar, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 18, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for pulmonary disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's PTSD was aggravated by active service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder began during active service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's prostate cancer is related to exposure to herbicide during service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's GERD began during active service and is related to exposure to herbicide during service; the hiatal hernia was most likely aggravated by military service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability is related to an in-service injury and is considered service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, especially his left ankle disability, have rendered him unemployable since March 1, 2009. The Board has determined that a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, the cervical spine disability remains at 20 percent, and the radiculopathy of both upper extremities are also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is reinstated, and he is granted a 50% rating for migraine headaches. The issues of service connection for GERD, cervical spine disability, and an eating disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination in a previous decision. The Veteran's cervical spine condition is still under review.