Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an examination to determine if the Veteran is in need of aid and assistance as a result of his service-connected lumbar spine disorder with associated radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is not service-connected due to a lack of in-service treatment records and insufficient medical opinion. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral hip disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, and lumbar disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbar spondylosis has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and lumbar radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and unspecified anxiety disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a low back disability was denied as there was no pending formal or informal claim prior to January 11, 2019. The earliest possible effective date under the law is the date of his continuously pursued January 11, 2019, service connection claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right knee medial femoral condyle fracture and patellofemoral syndrome, left knee instability, and right knee instability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current lumbar spine disability did not have its onset during active service.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for right medial tibial stress syndrome, a rating greater than 30 percent for asthma, and a rating greater than 20 percent for lumbar strain with spondylolisthesis and joint space narrowing have been withdrawn. The Veteran has also been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee conditions due to an unsteady gait caused by a service-connected ingrown toenail residuals. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of records from his lumbar spine surgery at a non-VA community care provider, which may have resulted in substandard care. The VA must obtain and associate these records with the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and an addendum opinion. The Board will determine whether the Veteran attended his scheduled August 2024 VA examination, and ensure that an adequate opinion has been obtained.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection. The Board found the VA opinion inadequate and remanded for further examination regarding his back condition, bilateral knee conditions, and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted. The claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities prior to September 26, 2018, is denied as the Veteran has already been in receipt of a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings have been remanded due to her failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and initial ratings for left knee conditions, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims.