Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and a need for new VA examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for his back disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation. The claim for TDIU is also denied due to the Veteran's ability to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's current back disability is not related to his active duty service, and therefore, service connection is denied.

The claim for service connection for DJD with chronic low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is now remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him disabled to the extent that he required the regular aid and assistance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and hypertension, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.,The evidence received since the August 2013 rating decision did not provide any new or material information regarding the onset of the claimed conditions during active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure and the current disability did not manifest within one year after separation from active duty.,The Veteran's stomach ulcers are not service-connected due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service or a diagnosis within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to October 12, 2013 prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent prior to December 11, 2019. The appeal is remanded due to other issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease during or within one year after service and that any current condition is less likely related to military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current level of severity. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset in service. Service connection was also remanded for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a new VA examination due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his injury during basic training and provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that his lumbar disability had its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for psoriasis, dry eye syndrome, and scars of the abdomen and lumbar spine due to a lack of medical opinions regarding the etiology of his heart disability. The Veteran is also requested to provide VA Form 21-4142s for any private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and residuals of a TBI have been denied.,The Board has found that the evidence does not show to the degree required the first Hickson element, a current disability, with respect to the Veteran's alleged seizure disorder and residuals of a TBI.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and remanded for additional development regarding his back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a combined-effects examination.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's neck disability, effective from July 31, 2018. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran's forward flexion of the cervical spine was limited to 30 degrees and does not support findings of less than 15 degrees or ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition due to inadequate medical opinion and need for further development.

The Board has determined that the case requires further development, specifically for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's back disorder is related to service or caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.