Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his education and work experience are sufficient to allow him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability has been granted a rating of 40 percent effective October 15, 2015. The left knee disability is found to be aggravated by the service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbar spine condition and bilateral knee conditions are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, increased ratings for lumbosacral disc disease and left knee disabilities due to new evidence and development of records.

Service connection for low back disability is denied. A rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is granted, effective December 11, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, a lumbar spine disability, and a higher rating for acne vulgaris due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that remand is necessary to address his claim for a higher rating.,The Veteran contends he should have an effective date earlier than September 1, 2014, for dependency benefits. The RO found no evidence of such within one year of notification of the rating action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, low back disability, and right leg disability due to incomplete development. The case is now before the Board for further review.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it was already granted in a previous rating decision. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis with facet osteoarthropathy has been rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The initial noncompensable rating prior to May 20, 2011 was appropriate.,After May 20, 2011 and prior to October 22, 2014, a disability rating of 10 percent for lumbar spine spondylosis with facet osteoarthropathy has been awarded. The Veteran's forward flexion was greater than 60 degrees or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine was greater than 120 degrees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and foot conditions, finding that further development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for lower/middle back, cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders as the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and allergic rhinitis, but has remanded the issues of service connection for prostate cancer and tension headaches, as well as the issue of a 10 percent disability rating for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of heat exhaustion is denied, and his initial rating for thoracolumbar spine arthritis with IVDS is granted at a 20 percent level from September 9, 2010 to December 14, 2016.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any low back disabilities, as there are insufficient competent medical evidence on file for VA to make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, right ear injury to include perforated eardrum, and facial scarring (left upper lip and cheek). The remaining issues are remanded for further development.