Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease and carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the current diagnoses are not related to in-service events or conditions.,Service connection was also denied for these conditions due to a lack of evidence showing their onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete development, including a missing medical report and an addendum opinion on the nature and etiology of his TBI. The AOJ is instructed to obtain the missing report and provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran has a current disability related to a TBI and if so, whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are found to cause his current lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. His right knee DJD and subluxing patella, as well as left knee DJD with instability, are all granted increased ratings.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hernia, low back, right knee, and right shoulder conditions due to ongoing noncompliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board remands the issues related to the rating for degenerative disc disease due to a lack of proper duty to assist.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations, missing treatment records, and procedural errors. The claims will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural errors and inadequate development of his exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 25, 2023. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as there was insufficient evidence to substantiate his unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors in the development of the Veteran's claims prior to the October 2022 rating decision on appeal. The AOJ obtained VA medical opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, but these opinions are deemed inadequate as they did not consider the competent and credible lay evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his service-connected sleep apnea disorder, lumbar spine disability, and PTSD have been denied as there was no increase in severity prior to July 7, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of right foot fracture, 3rd metatarsal, mid-shaft are granted with a 20% rating effective December 17, 2015. Service connection is also granted for lumbar disc herniation and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure of VA to account for the Veteran's potential active duty service time, specifically from April 2009 to March 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence or authorize VA to obtain his National Guard records and private chiropractor records.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spondylolisthesis with spondylolytic defects at L5 status post spinal fusion was denied. The Board also granted entitlement to a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee condition has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board is remanding this issue for further development. Additionally, earlier effective dates are being sought for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Veteran's lower back disability alone necessitates regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of increased special monthly compensation at the SMC-L12 rate as of August 16, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hand and left shoulder disorders, as well as TDIU. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and left hip disorder were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,For persistent depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder, the Veteran was granted a 50% disability rating but is now seeking an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for erectile dysfunction or hypertension, and therefore these claims are denied. The remaining issues of service connection for various foot and hip disorders, as well as left knee scar, are remanded due to inadequate examination.