Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability have prevented her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment throughout the period under appellate review, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disorder (previously claimed as a tailbone injury) and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lower back disability and right knee disability due to lack of VA examination, continuous symptomatology since service, and additional relevant evidence added after the October 2018 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for borderline personality disorder has been reopened, but the claim remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder was previously denied and no new evidence has been received to reopen this claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's left leg neuropathy is denied as secondary to his service-connected sinus disability, but remanded for further examination and opinion regarding sleep apnea.,Service connection for sleep apnea cannot be granted because there is no direct or presumptive evidence linking it to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for low back pain and TDIU due to incomplete records, including those from June 2018. A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for herniated disc of the lumbar spine with osteoporosis due to incomplete records from private providers. The Veteran is required to provide signed release forms for these records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for a new VA examination. The issues include lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,His hypertension claim was also denied, as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but no greater, due to limited flexion of the thoracolumbar spine. The maximum schedular rating for this condition has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back condition and an eye condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Veteran's back disability is service-connected and rated at 40 percent. The cause of death, pulmonary fibrosis, was not related to his military service.,Service connection for the cause of death cannot be established as the preponderance of evidence shows that the Veteran’s service-connected back disability did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and the AOJ should review this additional evidence and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's back disability, hypothyroidism, and GERD are all remanded for further evaluation as the current evaluations do not adequately reflect their severity.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for dermatophytosis tinea corporis. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for right ankle condition, low back strain, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety) were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of DDD, lumbar spine and radiculopathy left lower extremity were denied. The case was remanded for further action on the remaining issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbar strain, left knee strain, and hiatal hernia, to include entitlement to a separate rating for GERD are dismissed. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has remanded four issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder pain, and lumbosacral strain due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence being submitted. The issues include reopening of claims for lumbar spine disability, right eye disability, migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder), and dermatophytosis.