Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities due to procedural issues, specifically regarding the use of the modernized review system (AMA).

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability other than lumbar strain. The lumbar strain is found to be related to an in-service motor vehicle accident, while the other back disabilities are not considered related to service.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and his in-service storekeeper duties. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and a new addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition, including during flare-ups or after repetitive use.

The Board has granted the Veteran's TDIU claim based on her service-connected disabilities, and dismissed the issue of entitlement to service connection for memory loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to insufficient evidence in previous examinations, particularly regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and private provider records, as well as scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, but remanded the issues of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and left hip disability due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether his current low back disability was related to an injury sustained during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a back disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the appellant's symptoms started during her military service and are related to noise exposure.,Service connection is also granted for a cervical spine disorder with headaches and a lumbar spine disorder (DDD and IVDS), as new evidence supports reopening of these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted a 20% rating effective October 14, 2020. The claim for increased ratings prior to this date remains denied.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 20 percent for levoconvex scoliosis of the lumbar spine with secondary low back strain prior to October 15, 2020. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran based on evidence showing limited forward flexion and muscle spasms.

Service connection for tinnitus, MDD, GAD, and unspecified insomnia disorder as secondary to tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a cervical spine condition and low back condition is granted.,Service connection for migraine headaches (secondary to tinnitus) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back condition, and tinnitus have been granted.,The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings on GERD and a right shoulder disability, as well as the denials of service connection for alopecia, bronchitis, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, lentigo, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been dismissed due to his withdrawal during a hearing before the undersigned. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine arthritis and stenosis, left hip arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, arthritis and radiculopathy of the bilateral feet, and arthritis and neuropathy of the bilateral hands.