Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability during a flare-up or after repetitive use over time.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran received a 70% evaluation for service-connected depression, effective October 24, 2018. Claims for secondary service connection for neck disorder and upper back disorder were remanded, as well as claims for low back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for separate ratings of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy and a 20 percent rating for his back disability, finding that the evidence did not support earlier effective dates based on the criteria provided.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The lumbar spine disability was granted a 20% rating but not in excess of that.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 17, 2010 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.,On August 13, 2015, the Veteran's TDIU claim from that date forward was also denied because none of his service-connected conditions (other than adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) on their own or collectively met the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology during service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current disability and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and back conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is asked to provide information about her treatment records from military facilities and a private doctor.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and allergic rhinitis, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain (lumbar spine) and cervical spine spondylosis disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed to evaluate the Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities due to outdated examination records. The VA will also obtain any private treatment records for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete information.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of compliance with previous directives. Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar disability and remanded the issue of service connection for asthma.

The Board has granted the appellant's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and lupus. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, sinusitis, and back disability. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations to determine the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his low back condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current disability and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide agent exposure or other contaminants, including for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypothyroidism; hypertension; lumbar spine disorder; diabetic retinopathy; peripheral neuropathy; glaucoma; and residuals of a myocardial infarction.