Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current low back disability was incurred during his period of active service.,Service connection for hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including TBI, dizziness and/or vertigo, diabetes mellitus, prostate hypertrophy, left shoulder disability, right hand disability, and left heel spur. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or an in-service injury that could be linked to these conditions.,The Board found the preponderance of the evidence against service connection for TBI due to lack of credible reports of head injuries during service and no residuals documented post-service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability and right leg sciatica, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his service-connected disabilities and these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 19, 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, finding that there is a continuity of symptoms since service and no pre-existing condition. The disability was not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, lumbar spine, sleep impairment, and left sciatic nerve disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were denied, with the latter being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected thoracic degenerative disc disease, as well as for obtaining additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD, but denies these claims due to lack of a valid diagnosis of PTSD related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, a low back disability, and a left ankle disability. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability, but has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence are not associated with his service-connected lumbar spine condition.,From May 7, 2010, the Veteran's lumbar spine condition is rated at 40%.

The Veteran's appeal for attorney fees related to the October 2014 rating decision is denied as his former attorney was not eligible due to the lack of a valid NOD on TDIU and DEA claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for low back and diabetes disabilities. The cases are now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, as his manifestations of any additional claimed acquired psychiatric disability are not clearly distinguishable from his service-connected PTSD. The appeal is remanded for further development on several orthopedic issues.

The Veteran's low back and cervical spine disabilities with radiculopathy are granted as they are related to service.,Tinnitus is also granted, attributed to noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, radiculopathy in his bilateral lower extremities, right shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability prevented him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a lumbar strain is being remanded to the AOJ for consideration of additional evidence, including VA treatment records.