Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine with L5-S1 radiculopathy are granted service connection. The rating for the back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, psychiatric disability (depression and alcohol abuse disorder), headaches, hypertension, and diabetes have been granted. The diagnoses of depression and alcohol abuse disorder are linked to service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to in-service noise exposure. The appeal for service connection for a back condition is remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

Service connection for intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine, including foraminal stenosis and disc bulges at L3-L4 and L4-L5 is granted. The claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for hearing loss in the left ear is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and requests for clarification on the etiology of the Veteran's low back and bilateral hip disabilities, which are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, are granted as service connected. The low back disability and bilateral knee disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and PTSD are all granted as service-connected.,Left foot tendonitis, right foot tendonitis, neck disability, low back disability, bilateral pes planus, left heel calcaneal spur, right heel calcaneal spur, and hemorrhoids remain pending for further development.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent and the left lower extremity at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate given the current findings.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The VA has remanded for further examinations and evaluations of the Veteran's knees, feet, back, and hips.

The Veteran's 40 percent rating for chronic lumbosacral strain/sprain syndrome with degenerative joint disease (back disability) was restored effective May 1, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral or cervical strain condition is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include right shoulder, back, bilateral knee disorders, and initial rating for right ankle strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polycystic kidney disease has been reopened. The ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's dental condition, lumbar spine disorder, hernia condition, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional examination. The Veteran's low back disability is considered presumptively service-connected if diagnosed within one year of discharge, but there are no definitive records from 2000.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for back disability and memory issue, but has remanded both issues due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Lumbar Spine Disability, and Bilateral Hearing Loss due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy are rated at 10% each, with no higher ratings granted.

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability is granted for a rating of 20% prior to May 12, 2016 and 10% thereafter. Radiculopathy in the left lower extremity is granted service connection.