Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination and duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's PTSD, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, migraine headaches, and bilateral shin splints are all under review.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status beyond September 1, 2019 was denied as she no longer met the criteria for this benefit after that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the lumbar disorder. The Veteran's assertions and a private treatment record are considered in the new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, vertigo, low back disability, left ankle and right ankle disabilities, left arm and right arm disabilities, left elbow and right elbow disabilities, left foot and right foot disabilities, left hand little finger, right hand little finger, left hand index finger, right hand index finger, left hand long finger, right hand long finger, left hand ring finger, right hand ring finger, left hand thumb, right hand thumb, left knee, right knee, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity cold exposure, right upper extremity cold exposure, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability have also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability and RLE radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,His low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety) are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic diarrhea and acute gastroenteritis, as well as lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's symptoms have been present since his military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates, increased ratings, and initial ratings for his psychiatric disability and lumbar disability. The claims were also dismissed due to concurrent review issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ankle and knee disabilities, low back disability, anxiety/depression, insomnia, sleep apnea, and headaches, did not begin during or are otherwise related to service. As such, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is dismissed as moot because it was previously adjudicated under the Legacy Appeals system and a full grant of benefits has been awarded.

The Veteran's right little finger limitation of motion and DIP joint ankylosis is currently rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for their lumbar spine condition was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding no competent evidence linking his current disability to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 5, 2012 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran was found to be precluded from gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities starting from that date.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and headaches for further examination and opinion to address the sufficiency of the evidence regarding service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder associated with degenerative disc disease has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Additionally, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to cause death.,The Appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, preventing her from receiving survivor's pension.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The back condition claim is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.