Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for skin cancer, which is presumed due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals like tetrahydro fluorine.

The Veteran's scoliosis is granted as secondary to his service-connected closed fracture, lumbar vertebrae. The issues of initial ratings for the other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected cervical spine conditions and lumbar sprain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and translation of records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, thoracic spine, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed disability.

The Board has decided that the issue of entitlement to service connection for a lower back disability needs further review and requires additional medical evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for back disability and has determined that a new and material evidence was submitted, thus allowing him to proceed with his claim. The Board also found that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran regarding whether his current back disability had its onset during his period of INACDUTRA (inactive duty training) while serving in the military.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability and a chronic right leg disability due to incomplete development of records, including treatment from private providers. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee condition due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The claim for service connection for left great toe ingrown toenail has been reopened and granted. The claims for general osteoarthritis, low back spina bifida, right hip disability, right hip shorter than left leg, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, left foot arthritis, chronic congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, thyroid disability, edema, and skin irritation have all been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and remanded the issues of evaluating lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with RLE radiculopathy, is granted service connection. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to lumbar spine disorder) are remanded. Service connection for psychiatric disability (secondary to lumbar spine disorder) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to cooperate with scheduling of a VA examination. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is etiologically related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective September 27, 2014. His degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and hypertension are each rated at 30 percent, also effective September 27, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding personnel records and potential exposure to contaminated water. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine, cervical spine, gastrointestinal disorders, GERD, kidney cancer residuals, and hand tremors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, pseudofolliculitis (now claimed as shaving profile), and upper extremity neurological condition. The claims are granted to the extent that they were not previously denied.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection on a presumptive basis. The effective date for the 40% rating assigned for her lumbar spine disability is set at December 1, 2005. Her cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are granted higher initial ratings from the date of the March 2023 VA examination report.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease with cervical strain. The evidence did not support current residuals of a TBI other than headaches, nor did it show functional impairment from these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and need for further clarification on the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically regarding functional ankylosis.