Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to hearing loss is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the denial of the primary claim.,Service connection for GERD, lower back disability, and sleep apnea (claimed as sleep disturbances) are all remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities were denied because he failed to report for the scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder is remanded due to inadequate prior examination, and a new opinion is required.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and cervical radiculopathy (claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the hands), including as due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating greater than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and TDIU due to service-connected lumbosacral strain, specifically for the period from February 25, 2008, to December 20, 2010. The remand requires additional retrospective medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability during this time frame.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims during a hearing. The claim for TDIU has been granted.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for a low back disability, but denied the claim itself due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, heart disorder, and sinusitis are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the January 2016 VA examination. The examiner did not consider the Veteran's lay reports or post-service treatment records in forming their opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, peptic ulcer disease, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, is granted service connection.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her claims for arthritis, right foot, great toe; calcified pelvic phleboliths; blood clot in left jaw and teeth grinding, oral cavity, neoplasm buccal mucosa; and lumbar condition. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims of service connection for low back and bilateral knee pain, finding no new and material evidence that would support these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions and need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine spondylosis, right hand osteoarthritis, and left hand osteoarthritis based on chronic disease presumptive service connection due to symptoms that had their onset during service and have been continuous since service separation.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disorder, left calf disorder, and right knee disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions. The VA will need to verify all periods of service, obtain STRs and SPRs, and provide new VA examinations to determine if the current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees prior to November 9, 2015. A rating of 20 percent is granted for this period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including Degenerative Disc Disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of specific findings regarding Fairchild Air Force Base records and an alternate theory of service connection involving presumptive exposure. The Veteran's back condition is being examined again with consideration for this new information.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent effective January 30, 2014. The RO also granted increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the low back disability.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back and right hip conditions, as these are related to his right knee disability. The decision also notes that there may be outstanding VA treatment records relevant to the issues.