Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to June 6, 2014 was denied. His claim for a higher rating from June 6, 2014 to February 25, 2016 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral spondylosis, lumbar degenerative disc disease, L1 vertebral compression fracture, multilevel facet changes and osteophytes at C3 through C7 along with multilevel degenerative disc disease, tension headaches, and right shoulder disability are all granted. The claims for service connection for right hip disorder and right elbow are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder but remanded the cervical spine disorder claim due to insufficient medical opinion regarding pre-service and aggravation by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence.,The Veteran is also being scheduled for various VA examinations related to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back strain and whether his lumbar levoscoliosis is a congenital defect or disease. The Veteran also needs an updated VA medical opinion on whether his service-connected condition has aggravated other disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions, including low back, neck, right foot, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral shoulder conditions. The Veteran's service records indicate complaints of pain in these areas during service, but no current diagnoses have been established. A new examination is required for each condition.

The Board has remanded both claims for increased rating for the Veteran's back disability and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; coronary artery disease (CAD); peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities; thoracolumbar spine condition (back condition); and right knee degenerative joint disease (right knee condition) due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's military service in Vietnam is potentially relevant for these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder, diagnosed as sclerotic lesions in lumbar vertebrae, iliac wings, and sacrum with arthritis. The evidence is at least in equipoise whether the condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, lumbosacral sprain, right shoulder injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back disorder are granted as service-connected. The right knee and left knee issues are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death, and no eligible party has requested substitution.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, chronic bronchitis, heart disability, stomach condition (to include ulcers), and epidermal inclusion cyst. The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted.,The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims on appeal.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection, and the issues of increased rating for GERD and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it began during active service and is not related to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic back pain, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for agoraphobia due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine, hips, and legs, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, Type II due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.