Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate efforts to obtain them. The RO must attempt to secure his military treatment records from 2007-2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, allergy condition, asthma, lumbar strain and partial discectomy, bilateral hip condition, bilateral knee condition, sleep apnea/sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disability is denied. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is not established as there was no diagnosis of hearing loss sufficient for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a closed rib fracture was not reopened. The effective date for the lumbar spine disability rating is denied prior to June 23, 2015. A 10 percent rating is granted for the right foot disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar strain is secondary to her service-connected left pelvic hip stress fracture.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions, with some remanded for further examination and development. The initial rating for depression disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and exposure to burn pits during service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, neck disability, low back disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The evidence supports these findings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and LLE radiculopathy have been dismissed. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and increased ratings for her left knee degenerative changes and right knee degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or chronicity of symptoms sufficient to establish service connection. The Board also found that the current disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence submitted by him. The AOJ should review this additional evidence and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to the conditions claimed, except for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee strain, lumbar spine strain with arthritis, and lower left radiculopathy. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to their interrelated nature.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent from August 12, 2008 forward. His lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and a compensable rating for his left foot condition due to insufficient medical evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for a higher rating is denied. The lumbar strain, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and femoral nerve involvement to the right lower extremity are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability is reopened and granted.,The claim for service connection for a left foot/ankle disability remains denied as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a knee and leg disability, including as secondary to his chronic recurrent low back pain syndrome, was dismissed. The claim for an increased rating for right S1 radiculopathy was denied prior to August 1, 2013, but granted from that date onward with the highest possible rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, tension headaches, idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, and memory loss. These conditions are believed to be related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia), but remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence.