Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, right shoulder strain, and osteoarthritis of the right shoulder as these conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of left knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spondylosis, and a left ankle disability due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected arthritis of the lumbar spine should be remanded due to additional evidence being added to the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU rating prior to December 4, 2021 is denied as she was gainfully employed during this period. The issue of TDIU from December 4, 2021 to February 7, 2024 is remanded due to an inextricably intertwined pending appeal for a higher initial rating for her back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status, as he does not require personal assistance from others and is not substantially confined to his dwelling.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and femoral nerve radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective April 15, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during any period on appeal.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and thyroid nodules are all being remanded for further development.,Specifically, the right ankle disability is being examined to determine if nerve damage exists and its relationship to other service-connected disabilities. The thyroid nodules need a medical opinion on whether they are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA secondary to bipolar disorder with major depressive disorder. The issues of lung disability and low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities, including IVDS and degenerative disc disease, are rated at 20 percent. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has not been received to readjudicate the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back, right knee, left knee, and left knee instability disorders are REMANDED.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and back pain, resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board found that SMC aid and attendance is granted based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, and there was no service connection established for most of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, have resulted in a combined rating of 60 percent as of March 15, 2019. The Board has granted an earlier effective date for TDIU to this point.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine DDD, tinnitus, eczema, and left-hand arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 29, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a duty to assist error. The issues include right shoulder, left shoulder, bilateral foot, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his left ear hearing loss, incision scar posterior neck, and cervical spine disability are denied. The claim for service connection for TBI is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, radiculopathy, knee and foot disabilities, and hearing loss/tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 29, 2022. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been granted. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the cervical spine disability was caused by or aggravated by the lumbar spine disability.