Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral eye disability, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the October 2016 VA examination.,The Board deems the Veteran’s request for a Travel Board hearing withdrawn.

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions as they are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear reasons and bases provided in the April 2018 decision. The issues are related as they all involve disabilities that pre-existed service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for residuals of heart attack, hypertension pressure, and asthma have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the remaining issues including right knee, lower back condition, left knee disabilities, and rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for a low back condition has been reopened and remanded. The claims for muscle pain, joint pain, bilateral ankle pain, bilateral knee pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome have also been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the lumbar spine disorder claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorders.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), and low back disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the Board's failure to consider it prior to August 16, 2015. The case will be reconsidered along with other pending claims.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to July 28, 2011 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The left knee disability remains under appeal. TDIU and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound are also pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of whether the Veteran's spondylosis is a form of arthritis, and for additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of his low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has been granted, and he is also entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The MDD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected mixed connective tissue disease (Marfan syndrome) has been granted separate ratings for multiple joint disabilities, including right and left knee pain and limited flexion, right and left ankle pain and limited range of motion, right and left hand/finger pain and limited range of motion, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including examinations to address his claimed conditions and their relationship to service. The claims are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back disability, including his service connection claim.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal, finding that his request to withdraw service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was valid. The claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disability were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected back disability and to determine if there is any additional functional loss due to flare-ups. The issue remains in appellate status as the rating decision did not fully grant the benefit sought.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted service connection. The low back disability is remanded for further review.