Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's traumatic brain injury, including separate compensable ratings for various associated conditions. The examination is needed to clarify whether these conditions are residuals of the service-connected traumatic brain injury and to determine their severity.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all the listed issues, and the Board has dismissed them.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The lumbar spine disorder is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from February 17, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and individual unemployability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to incomplete records, requiring further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine compression fracture disability and TDIU was denied. The disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective March 7, 2012.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back condition, claimed as lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, is granted. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between his current disability and service.

The Board denied service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for scheduled examinations. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient evidence from previous VA examinations. The Veteran will need new evaluations and treatment records.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for a low back disorder was granted. However, the claim for service connection itself remains denied.,Service connection for hepatitis C is also denied as there is no evidence linking it to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for depressive disorder, bilateral hip disorder secondary to service-connected disabilities, a rating higher than 20 percent for left foot plantar fasciitis, and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The lumbar spine disability claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,His lumbar DJD and DDD are currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to new evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, respiratory disorder (asbestosis), hypertension, kidney disorder, diabetes mellitus, left and right lower extremity disorders, are all denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or service connection.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease was denied. The petition to reopen the claim for headaches was granted, but the claim for sleep apnea remains not established. Service connection for left varicocele and recurrent low back strain with mechanical low back pain and lumbar spasm were both denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and neck disability due to outstanding records.

The Veteran withdrew his service connection claims for bilateral hip disorders and an increased rating claim for a lumbar spine disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied.,Service connection for a back disability and headaches is denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since July 2, 2014, and a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability is granted.