Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of service connection for low back disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and an opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed foot conditions, as the current examination does not adhere to the correct legal standard in addressing whether they were aggravated beyond their natural progression during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by him and a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not obtaining SSA records. The VA hearing loss claim is also remanded as there was no VA examination provided.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that his symptoms have been continuous since service and meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for scoliosis and degenerative arthritis of the spine, but denied service connection for residuals of surgical removal of a spinal cord tumor due to syringomyelia. The Board found that the Veteran's scoliosis is acquired rather than congenital, and that his symptoms of spine arthritis were chronic in service and continuous since separation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's back disability, including thoracic spine scoliosis and thoracolumbar spine arthritis, is granted as service connected. The conditions are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims for service connection are now pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's low back disability is diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, which the Board finds to have started during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted, as he requires assistance with dressing and preparing meals due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to grant these claims at this time.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and lumbar spine disorder are related to his military service. However, the claim for posttraumatic stress disorder remains pending as the in-service sexual trauma has not been confirmed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding service connection for a lower back disorder.

The Veteran's left knee instability and low back disorder were granted increased ratings, while the right knee limitation of motion issue was remanded for further examination.

The Veteran was found unable to maintain substantial gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities from May 1, 2009 to May 1, 2010 and from July 22, 2010 to present.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a sinus disability due to new evidence received after the last decision.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, tinnitus, and shoulder disability were dismissed. The claim for jaw condition was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Bilateral hearing loss was not found as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from August 2, 2018 is granted. The Board finds additional development needed for the PTSD and back disability claims due to potential impact on the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records and unobtained VA outpatient treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is now rated at 30 percent from October 5, 2017. His lumbar spine and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities continue to be rated as before.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's disabilities are related to his military service, specifically in-service injuries or illnesses. The VA examinations need to address these issues and provide a rationale for their conclusions.