Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for diabetes mellitus due to lack of new and material evidence. The TDIU claim is remanded as there is competent evidence indicating the Veteran may be unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his nonservice-connected dementia was the primary cause of his need for assistance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar disability, finding that his in-service fall led to his current condition. The claim is based on direct evidence and not secondary or presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder also claimed as memory loss was granted. Other claims were remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The case is remanded for consideration of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection, initial ratings for neuropathy and retinopathy/cataracts, as well as a TDIU claim. The low back disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service or any diagnosed condition. Initial ratings for lower extremity neuropathies are also denied. Separate compensable ratings for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and bilateral cataracts are not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back, left ankle, neck, right ankle, and left foot disabilities, have been denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active service.,Service connection has also been denied for a mental disability, headache disability, sleep apnea, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional medical records and verifying stressful events during service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD with IVDS and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as service connection, based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has found that VA did not substantially comply with the September 2017 Board remand and thus the case is being returned for further development to obtain missing treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as there are questions regarding the adequacy of the current evidence, particularly in relation to the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of various disabilities, including PTSD, right hand/wrist disability, lumbar spine condition, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Board has also determined that verification of the Veteran's in-service stressors is needed.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service connected lumbar spine disability, but the records of potential VA treatment have not been obtained and a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, left hip, and left leg conditions are granted as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. A 20% rating is assigned for each condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen her claims for service connection for low back and left hip disabilities. The cases are remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for a back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete medical records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.