Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for the service-connected low back disability and residuals of a left rib fracture, finding that the Veteran's range of motion did not warrant higher ratings based on pain or other functional limitations.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and evaluations for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for lumbar spine disability and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his chronic lumbar strain with spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, including as secondary to the service-connected left knee strain, due to lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's current back disability was caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder due to new evidence received since the April 2009 denial. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted, but the back and right knee disability secondary to left knee disability are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a nasal disorder, deviated septum. The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, right leg disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and skin cancer are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for low back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, GERD, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is also facing a remand for his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to June 6, 2018. From June 6, 2018, the rating remains at 20 percent. The Board has also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for plantar fasciitis of both feet, a low back disability, conjunctivitis, laryngitis, COPD, headaches, and a dental condition due to new evidence received after the last decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including review of new service treatment records and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of prescription medications purchased in Pakistan is denied because the medications are not used for a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted service connection for tinnitus. The lumbar spine disability was not found to be related to service, while the tinnitus was found to have been incurred during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for recurrent lumbar strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and migraine headaches have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for recurrent lumbar strain since November 2009, with a 30% rating granted since April 29, 2014 for his migraines.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support an in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to outstanding private medical records and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since July 8, 1975 and has been granted a temporary total rating for convalescence from April 2, 1975 to July 7, 1975. The extension of the temporary total rating from January 18, 1994 to March 31, 1994 is denied. A 40 percent rating is granted since February 26, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right knee conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.,The Veteran's low back condition is not service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.