Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's request to reopen her claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also grants service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence shows a current disability and relates it to in-service motor vehicle accidents. Service connection for back disability, right knee disability, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded due to lack of medical nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded five claims: four for service connection and one for psychiatric disorders. The AOJ is directed to obtain SSA records related to the Veteran's disability benefits applications.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back disability and increased rating for left knee disability prior to January 30, 2019. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of left total knee replacement from March 1, 2020 onwards is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he is not in need of such assistance due to his disabilities, which do not meet the criteria for SMP.

The Board has denied service connection for pes planus, foot calluses, and lumbar spine disability. The case of bilateral eye disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 29, 2017 for a 10 percent rating for service-connected lumbar strain is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, left knee is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's back disability claim will be reviewed with a new VA examination, and his right shoulder disability rating will also require a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Board has determined that additional opinions and VA examinations are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right foot, hip, low back, leg, shoulder, hand, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and PTSD, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.

The Veteran's appeals for a permanent and total rating for PTSD, service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, and earlier effective dates for back disorder and lower extremity disorders were dismissed. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date for service connection was November 25, 2005.

The Board denied service connection for left, right knee disabilities and neck disability. The Veteran's current knee and back conditions were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, as he requires regular assistance due to his cognitive impairments and physical limitations. The Board has also determined that SMC T is not warranted given the Veteran's condition does not require higher level care.

The Veteran's back condition is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral scapulothoracic and thoracolumbar spine strains.

The RO increased the ratings for several conditions and granted service connection, but denied the request to apply the bilateral factor. The Veteran's combined rating is now 90 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lower back disability is related to service. The Veteran reported an injury during service, but there are conflicting statements and records that need further clarification.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted with a 10 percent rating effective June 27, 2011. The Board found that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran and granted an initial 10 percent rating for this condition. However, the lumbar spine issues were remanded due to insufficient medical examination records.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected. The claim for lumbar stenosis with disc herniation is granted, but the rating assigned and effective date have not been determined.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as he could manage his daily activities with assistance from his wife.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and residuals of broken ribs due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.