Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lower left extremity radiculopathy secondary to degenerative disc disease was granted with an effective date of June 3, 2014. The Board found that this earlier effective date is appropriate as the condition was already in receipt of its earliest authorized date due to the direct service-connected nature.

The Board has remanded the claims of cervical spine, low back, right hip, and left hip disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in service. The Veteran's lay statements support his contention that his current conditions are related to his military duties as a machine gunner.

The reduction of the rating for service-connected back disability from 20 percent to 10 percent was not proper, and restoration of the 20 percent rating is granted. The entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for new examination opinions. The claims will be reconsidered with the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lower back condition, right knee pain, and left knee pain as secondary to a lower back condition due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD disorder and remanded claims for left-knee, low-back, and eye conditions. Insomnia was granted a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tension headaches is denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy claims are remanded, while the left shoulder AC joint separation and PTSD claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ should secure an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's total service-connected disabilities, including loss of use of extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and a back disability have been granted.,The Veteran's low back disability has been found to be etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are being remanded due to errors in the AOJ's decision process. The issues include scar, cervical spine disability, visual field defect, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's lower back disability is found to be related to his active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a head injury, bilateral eye disorder, heart disorder and/or chest pain, back disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, intestinal disorder, arthritis of the hands, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder have all been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis or symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding periods of active duty and reserve service, as well as the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current mid/low back disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain necessary medical records and verify all relevant periods of service.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 10, 2013 for the addition of the Veteran's spouse as his dependent to his award of VA disability compensation. The issue of whether the debt in the amount of $19,696.58 was properly created and is valid remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle sprain, but the claims for acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), back disorder, and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's disability rating for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), lumbar bulging disc, and degenerative arthritis (lumbar spine disability) was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent effective July 1, 2022. The reduction was improper as the provisions of 38 C.F.R. were not considered. As a result, the Veteran's rating is restored to 20 percent effective July 1, 2022. The claim for an increased rating for service-connected tinnitus remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding the nexus between service and these conditions. The VA examinations provided were inadequate, and additional records are needed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain claim is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as the previous VA examinations did not adequately consider his reported flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbosacral strains, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to injuries sustained during his military service.