Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine tendonitis and PTSD, as well as the claim for a TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in April 2015 and May 2015. The Board requires new VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar strain, right great toe laceration and crush injury, depression, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The GERD claim is remanded as the VA examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not related to in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and IVDS is rated at 10 percent prior to July 9, 2018, and at 40 percent from July 9, 2018. The rating of 40 percent is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of various conditions due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The effective date for service connection remains August 12, 2004.

The Board has not jurisdiction over the issues of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and left ankle condition. The case is referred to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the appellant's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder to include COPD, asthma and pneumonia, thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records not being obtained. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization forms for any private treatment records from Lakeland Regional Medical Center and Winter Haven Hospital.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the claims on appeal regarding a lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's service treatment records show he was treated for strained back muscles in January 1973. However, his subsequent complaints of low back pain since service are not addressed by the VA examiners' opinions. For the left hip disability and ED claims, the Board found that further information is needed regarding the medications the Veteran takes for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the claim for right knee arthritis but granted service connection for left knee strain and thoracolumbar strain as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia was denied as it is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for a back disability, hypertension, gout, bilateral foot disabilities, bilateral eye disabilities, heart disabilities, sleep apnea, skin disabilities, and mental health disabilities were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection for left eye blindness has been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lower back and left eye blindness due to outstanding records and further medical examination.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened and remanded. The claim for service connection for low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine conditions are remanded for additional examinations to address the severity of his disability, including range of motion and flare-ups.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 5, 2018 and granted a 20 percent rating effective May 5, 2018.,A separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted effective April 23, 2017. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy received a 20 percent rating effective May 5, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, spinal spondylosis, and neuroforaminal stenosis are related to his active service.

The claim for service connection of a back disability is granted as new and material evidence has been received. The appeal is remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition, as his lay assertions of continuity of symptomatology since service were not considered in the April 2013 VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for further examination and consideration of his service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the Veteran's claims regarding his back condition and acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD.