Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that they are related to in-service aircraft accidents.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (generalized anxiety disorder), peptic ulcer disease, and hypertension due to potential errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions and records. The AOJ is required to obtain these opinions and records.

The Veteran's service connection for mechanical back pain syndrome, lumbar sprain, facet joint arthropathy, degenerative disc disease, and right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted with an effective date of March 15, 2013. The Board also found a higher disability rating of 40 percent is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy conditions, are remanded for further development. The fibromyalgia with headaches claim is also remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to readjudicate his previously denied claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, lower back disability, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities. The lower back disability is now granted, as is the radiculopathy. However, the bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities are still pending and need further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence supports readjudication of the claims for service connection for tinnitus, back condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service. Claims for increased ratings for shoulder conditions and a compensable rating for tinea pedis are denied due to failure to report for scheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder condition, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left hip condition due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records relevant to his lumbar spine disability and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's TDIU for accrued benefits purposes is granted, and the initial compensable rating for his service-connected back scar is denied. The claims of higher ratings for lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, right hand arthritis, migraines, and GERD are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's memory loss disability due to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for skin disability, tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the bilateral foot, neck disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability have been dismissed. The Board has found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted service connection prior to January 25, 2024.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected back and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities were denied. The rating for DDD other than IVDS, status post micro discectomy at L5-S1 was not granted as it did not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or the entire spine. Ratings for RLE radiculopathy affecting the femoral and sciatic nerves were also denied.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain with arthritis, shortness of breath, hypertension, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and tinnitus in excess of 10 percent.,There is no evidence showing a current disability for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding medication's impact on the Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability. The Veteran needs an updated medical opinion to assess her condition without considering the effects of medication.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran requires assistance with eating, dressing, hygiene needs, medication management, housekeeping, meal preparation, and laundry.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, a back condition, and both lower extremity neuropathy conditions due to the lack of evidence showing these conditions had their onset during active duty for training (ACDUTRA).