Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was rated at 10% prior to March 13, 2025. The May 12, 2025 rating decision increased the rating to 20%, effective March 13, 2025.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and left knee disabilities due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence submitted when the claims are readjudicated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her lumbar spine disability and migraine headaches, have caused her to require regular aid and attendance. SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for various orthopedic disabilities, including wrist, hand, finger, knee, and lumbar spine conditions, based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examiner's opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities result in loss of use and if so, whether he requires aid and attendance without considering such disability/ies. The Veteran also needs to be considered for SMC R1 based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The reduction in rating for the Veteran's back condition from 40% to 20%, effective September 1, 2025 is improper and void ab initio. The petition to reverse this reduction is granted. An increased rating for costochondritis is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal.,Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea, with the Board finding that it was due to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, low back disability, left shoulder disability, and left leg disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's active duty service and his current disabilities are found to be related to these service events.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, but his right ear hearing loss and back disorder claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 27, 2020, for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is granted.,New and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of lower back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, hepatitis C, left ankle disability, left hip disability, left thumb disability, liver cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent lumbosacral strain, finding that the condition originated during active service and is directly related to a back injury sustained while in the military.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left hip conditions due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the February 2021 VA opinion and the need for an examination to address both direct service connection and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and service connection have been denied. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation on the issues of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions on etiology and a duty to assist error.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for psoriatic arthritis with degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an additional VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to insufficient evidence in the original decision.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits to a 5% rate effective November 1, 2016 was proper due to his incarceration for more than 60 days following conviction of a felony offense. The appeal is denied.