Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, OSA, and GERD are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development related to potential toxic exposure under the PACT Act.

The Board has determined that readjudication is warranted as to the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a back disability, and remanding the claims for readjudication.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, right and left lower extremity radiculopathies are each rated at 20 percent. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula or IVDS Formula.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the ratings and service connection claims related to thoracolumbar spondylosis, hypertension, and radiculopathy left lower extremity sciatic nerve.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder requires further examination and review due to an error in obtaining medical evidence prior to the March 2018 decision on appeal. The case is therefore remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, status post laminectomy, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is not warranted based on current evidence. The Veteran has some occasional restriction of motion but no reports of irregular muscle spasms or reduced strength.,The Veteran's ankle disorders produce occasional pain and slight limitation of motion in both ankles.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of medical opinions regarding service connection claims, including those related to hypertension, skeletal arthritis, psychiatric disorders, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support his claim and concluding that any current back disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and dorsal and low back strain have been denied. The criteria for a higher rating were not met based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, OSA, HTN, and other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS is remanded due to the need for additional development, including an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition have been reopened. The claims are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current lumbar spine disorders are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for psychiatric, lumbar spine, and sleep disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, but his petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability was granted. The issue of service connection for a low back disability is being remanded.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus, with the latter now having service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current back disability and his active-duty service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim to reopen and reconsider the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and low back disorder is granted. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a headache disability, to include migraines. The Board found no competent or credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be related to these disabilities.