Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's back injury during service is the cause of his current condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety, including for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's lower back disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, and headaches have been granted service connection. A 50% rating has also been assigned for the Veteran's tension headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to January 8, 2021 and SMC based on permanent need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with current compression fractures T12 through L4 is granted as service connected. The issue of secondary service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis (claimed as segmental and somatic dysfunction of pelvic) to include as secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with current compression fractures T12 through L4, claimed as back condition, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates related to his cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities are also being remanded as VA examinations were inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability does not render him unemployable, as he has maintained employment in his field of construction despite the pain and limitations caused by his condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back condition and headaches, as well as to obtain relevant medical records. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to ensure a complete record and make a fully informed decision regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the right knee, left knee, and back disability issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine, headache, and lumbar spine disabilities have been remanded for further examination and medical opinion.,Service connection is being considered for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating, and thus denied the claim. For the lumbar strain issue, the Board found that additional remand was necessary due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's bipolar II disorder is now rated at 100% effective November 6, 2016. His low back disability is now rated at 40% effective April 15, 2014. The Veteran's GERD and Parkinsonism are both newly service-connected.

The reduction of the disability rating for mechanical low back pain with thoracic strain and degenerative disc disease from 40 percent to 10 percent effective October 1, 2015 was proper. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current back condition and service or service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no legal basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected hypertension and ED are not service connected. The RO is instructed to obtain medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were incurred in service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including knee and shoulder conditions, as well as a lumbar spine disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.