Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral foot disorders (pes planus with hallux valgus), and skin disorder due to insufficient examination reports and lack of clarity in the opinions provided.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the case for further development regarding a back disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The Board will determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a back disability was denied because he failed to report for a VA examination without showing good cause.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted service connection. The rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to March 9, 2016 remains at 10 percent and after that date is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability and found that new evidence submitted since the last denial shows it is more likely than not related to his active duty service. However, the Board also determined that there was no medical evidence showing a current disability existed during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his right shoulder and back disorders are being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, hearing loss rating, and right wrist arthritis rating due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has denied an increased rating for chronic thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and has remanded issues of service connection for right hip, left hip, and left knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of recent VA examination for the service-connected lumbosacral strain and left knee strain.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, but denied service connection for a low back disorder and sinus disorder. The Veteran's GAD with depressive disorder is rated at 50%.

The Board has reopened the claims for residuals of a lower back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for these conditions as they are not related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 31, 2014 for service connection of right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and residual scar associated with lumbar spine IVDS.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent for the entire period on appeal. The Board also granted initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for his sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies, but remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for increased ratings on multiple conditions, including left shoulder bursitis, thoracolumbar strain, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, hip osteoarthritis, knee patellofemoral syndrome (both knees), ankle post-operative changes, sinusitis, and hiatal hernia with GERD.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disability was granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to service, specifically his exposure to cold weather conditions in Alaska.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent rating from August 28, 2009 to March 4, 2014. The Board also found that a higher rating is not warranted for this period.

The claims for service connection for low back disability, left foot nerve disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), fibromyalgia, and migraine headaches are all granted.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on the presumption of exposure to Gulf War service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded for further examination and development of his claims.