Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including mental health conditions, GERD, hearing loss, ankle and spine disabilities, as well as a heart disability. The RO has not yet addressed the earlier effective dates for these conditions and is remanded to do so.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher combined rating, finding that the RO properly applied the bilateral factor to his service-connected disabilities of the left and right upper extremities. The calculated combined rating of 70 percent effective February 9, 1989 was accurate.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD as secondary to a service-connected disability (back condition), but denied the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition, arthritis of legs, degenerative arthritis of knees, glaucoma of the right eye, rash on scrotum, penis, buttocks, shoulders, and arms, and residuals of head injury. The evidence received since previous decisions did not meet the criteria to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to inadequate examination reports, specifically regarding flare-ups and range of motion testing. The Veteran's low back disability is rated at various levels based on different time periods.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA definition of hearing loss.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's OSA is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The issues of service connection for PTSD and a thoracolumbar spine disorder have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and review due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of sleep disorder and low back disorder during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 22, 2017. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he can secure or follow such an occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his left shoulder, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities. The current severity of these conditions will be assessed in order to determine appropriate ratings.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for hypertension, chronic depression, and chronic lumbar strain. The left wrist disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of increased ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee status post lateral meniscus debridement and synovectomy, and service connection for a back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider all relevant evidence of record, including the Veteran's report of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of October 1, 2009.

The Veteran's initial rating for a lumbar spine disorder is granted at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of current evidence reflecting the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability. The Veteran is also advised to file any claims for additional disabilities related to his service-connected condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back condition due to new and material evidence, but has remanded it for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain disability due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development.