Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the claim for TDIU due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis, left shoulder arthritis, digestive issues (chronic constipation), and low back condition with lower extremity neuropathy were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating authorized under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies in the range of motion findings and need for a retrospective opinion regarding pain on motion. The TDIU claim is also deferred until the increased rating claims are resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and whether his depressive disorder is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a sleep disability, right shoulder disability, lumbosacral myositis and lumbar disc degeneration, left knee tendonitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The cases are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for residuals of an injury to the left leg and knee, but has remanded both the service connection claims due to the need for additional development. The back disability claim is inextricably intertwined with the left leg and knee claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition, COPD, and heart condition due to new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including chronic thoracolumbar strain, is being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board will determine if there is a relationship between the current low back condition and service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from medical professionals.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and providing clarifying opinions from VA examiners.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, back condition, and right knee degenerative joint disease. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions prior to death, and that any in-service injuries or exposures did not result in a chronic disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and degenerative disc of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, left shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and denied service connection for a back disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression or bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits is granted because he was discharged from active duty due to a service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease and for TDIU due to inadequate development from the previous VA examination.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective from the date of the decision.