Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to consider whether the Veteran requires the aid and attendance of another person solely due to effects of service-connected disabilities, including differentiating symptoms of peripheral neuropathy from non-service-connected back pain.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as spinal stenosis, degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), spinal fusion, and spondylolisthesis. The decision finds that the Veteran's current low back disability is causally related to his active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus was granted service connection. The claim for lumbar condition is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy with effective dates of June 24, 2019.,However, the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral feet disability.

The Board grants the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for his lumbar spine, left knee, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for a right hip disability and degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine, which were previously denied. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, as well as DEA benefits.

The Veteran's ratings for lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy are restored to 20 percent. The claims of service connection for left hip disability, right hip disability, and urinary incontinence are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of collapse of foot arches and degenerative disc disease (neck injury, needed surgery) due to improper docketing under the AMA system.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, left ankle injury residuals, and left ankle scar, as the appropriate effective date is November 7, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural errors in the decision-making process. The issues include a lumbar spine disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, both of which require further examination and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and pes planus, finding that new and relevant evidence had not been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claim for lumbosacral strain and that there was no evidence supporting a direct or secondary connection between the Veteran's disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted as the evidence supports a current disability and continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's claim for a lower back condition was denied due to lack of evidence supporting an in-service injury or chronicity of symptoms.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar sprain with degenerative disc disease based on the current level of disability and functional impact.

The Veteran's headaches were not found to warrant a compensable rating prior to July 1, 2021, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. Service connection was granted for allergies other than service-connected allergic rhinitis.,Bilateral foot neuropathy is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to jet fuel.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee arthritis degenerative, and right knee arthritis degenerative. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions first began in service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 26, 2014 and July 27, 2009 for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a claim within one year of discharge.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 27, 2009 for degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS and lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower sciatic nerve associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine were denied as there was no evidence of a claim within one year of discharge.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 26, 2014 for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower sciatic nerve associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS were denied as there was no evidence of a claim within one year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and sciatica due to incomplete development of his military records, including those from National Guard service. The claims are being returned for further investigation into whether the Veteran incurred or aggravated a low back condition during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain (limitation of flexion) have been denied. The VA determined that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.