Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for low back disorder and hearing loss, leading to their dismissal.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's back pain was present prior to military service and did not worsen during service. The current DDD of the lumbar spine is considered a normal part of aging.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus and service connection for a back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted with an effective date of March 16, 2012. A rating of 20 percent is assigned for the entire appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of GERD, hypothyroidism, erectile dysfunction, and low back disability. The Board also denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus or an aggravation claim for GERD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for further development. The right hip disability claim is being remanded, as well as the increased rating for lumbar spine disability and a compensable rating for tinea corporis.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including epicondylitis of the left elbow, right shoulder tendonitis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, a left Achilles tendon rupture, mild fibrosis of the lung, residuals of cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal), Crohn's disease (irritable bowel syndrome), residuals of an emergency internal hemorrhoidectomy, colon cancer with polyp, and residuals of bile duct surgery. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran claimed his conditions were due to radiation exposure during service, but the VA did not find any credible evidence supporting this claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records, requiring a new evaluation of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The appeal challenging the withholding of VA compensation due to concurrent receipt of drill pay and service connection for various conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including eye and vision issues, hearing loss, knee problems, back pain, leg numbness/weakness, psychiatric conditions, and heart disability. The appeals are pending further development.

Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain issue (TBI), an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depression are not addressed as they were previously denied in June 2013.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including low back disorders and cold injury residuals. The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are also remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a left knee disability, migraines, and right foot degenerative osteoarthritis. The claim for a left foot disability is denied. Service connection has also been granted for a lumbar spine disability but not for cervical degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran's right foot condition was found to be service-connected due to pre-existing conditions aggravated by active duty, and her migraines were found to have no direct link to service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability and bilateral leg disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for swollen joints, lumbar strain and calcification in the thoracic and lumbar spine, left hip disability, cracked sternum, bilateral hearing loss, and dizziness and fainting as there was no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disorder, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to deficiencies in the VA examination opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms will be considered, and new VA examinations are needed to address the issues.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is granted at a rating of 40 percent, effective from the date of examination. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left upper extremity remains at a rating of 30 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints, right ear hearing loss disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and headache due to potential errors in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran's current conditions are being reviewed with a focus on their onset during service or their relationship to service.