Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current condition and service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for a back disorder. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military noise exposure, while the back disorder is not linked to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lethargy, bilateral leg sciatic nerve pain, bilateral hip condition, and low back condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant as they do not result in anatomical loss, blindness, or significant functional impairment that would qualify under the applicable regulations.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of June 26, 2017 for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Lumbar Spine Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has remanded both service connection claims for a back condition and a left knee condition due to the inadequacy of medical opinions and missing relevant records.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for his service-connected back disability and associated neurological disabilities, and TDIU. The case will be remanded to obtain additional VA examination opinions and a retrospective opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders are not service-connected, but have remanded for further development to address these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder and whether it preexisted service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The initial rating for major depressive disorder was granted at 70 percent effective March 1, 2007. TDIU and DEA benefits were also granted effective March 1, 2007.

The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent for the appeal period prior to August 14, 2023. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent prior to January 16, 2024 and denied for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip and back disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back and hip disorders, as well as their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection must be remanded again due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and further development is needed for examinations related to his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, specifically focusing on service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a missed VA examination and for clarification of the Veteran's service periods. The claim will be further developed to ensure all relevant medical records are obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, and he is now entitled to a rating of 20 percent from August 25, 2015.,An increased rating of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability is granted as of August 25, 2015. The Veteran's radiculopathy symptoms are part and parcel of his claim for an increased rating of his back disability.