Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's employment history prior to June 27, 2017. The issues of TDIU and increased rating for lumbar spine disability are currently in remand status.

The Veteran's low back scar is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has ordered a VA examination to assess the current level of severity of her service-connected low back scar.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU due to lack of evidence showing a worsening in the year prior to the claim and no indication that the Veteran filed any claims before January 7, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, increased ratings for neck and low back disabilities, and earlier effective dates for radiculopathy of the arms and legs are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded by the Board.,His current service-connected conditions include right ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted as his condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issue of the Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 5, 2016 due to insufficient evidence. The matter is now referred to the Director of Compensation for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's back disability and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea. The decision found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, neck disability, cervical radiculopathy, and left knee disability. The reasons given were that the evidence did not show a nexus between these disabilities and active service.

The Board has denied service connection for low back and respiratory disorders, but has remanded the cases of left foot disorder and TMJ due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for back and right shoulder disabilities as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or condition that could have caused the current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The current rating of 20% is maintained from November 26, 2014 to June 18, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right and left wrist conditions, bilateral foot conditions, and back disability due to a lack of current disabilities as defined by VA regulations. The claim was not remanded or reopened.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied in September 2009. The Board has reopened the claim due to new and material evidence, but has also remanded it for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a left hip disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The appeal is dismissed with respect to the issues of service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diverticulitis and resulting colostomy.

The Veteran's claim for a VA annual clothing allowance in 2015 is granted because his back brace, used due to service-connected chronic lumbar syndrome, causes wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar back was reopened and denied due to lack of a current disability, no in-service injury or event, and no causal relationship between the condition and service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, but granted a 10% rating for right foot disability prior to May 26, 2016. The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to inadequate medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and denied claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diverticulosis. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military service.