Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including chronic pain and tendonitis, bilateral foot disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, low back disability, hypercholesterolemia, sleep apnea, and a rating for dysthymia and panic disorder. The Board also ordered additional VA treatment records to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder osteoarthritis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to incomplete examination reports. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being evaluated again.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral knee disability, finding that the evidence does not support a direct or presumptive relationship to active duty service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to gout, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, back disorder, sleep apnea, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records show he reported and was treated for many of these conditions during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back disorder, a right hip disorder, and initial ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete examinations and lack of medical evidence supporting the diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in its May 2017 decision and a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine disability and TDIU was remanded by the Board. The case is now back with the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his cervical spine, low back, and psychiatric disorders were denied. The VA found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, including its nature and extent as well as any flare-ups. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. The Veteran was denied service connection in December 1993 due to lack of evidence, but the current submission includes allegations by the Veteran regarding an injury during military training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and additional medical records establishing a current back disability.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disability is denied. The Veteran has been diagnosed with refractive error, mild allergic conjunctivitis, bilateral senile cataracts, and open angle glaucoma suspected. His current hearing loss was not caused by or related to his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as there is evidence of a current disability (sensorineural hearing loss) and in-service acoustic trauma has been conceded. The Veteran's hearing was normal at discharge, but he developed sensorineural hearing loss many years after service without continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability (tinnitus).,The Veteran's claim of service connection for Barrett's esophagus is denied. The Veteran does not have, and has not had during the period on appeal, a disability consisting of colon polyps.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for colon polyps, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and GERD are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied. The Veteran does not have, and has not had during the period on appeal, a disability consisting of colon polyps.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for diverticulitis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection. The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for respiratory problems due to environmental hazards in the Gulf War is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, back, and left eye disabilities due to inadequate consideration of relevant evidence in prior VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for a compensable rating for spondylosis of the lumbar spine are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right ankle disabilities as secondary to a service-connected right great toe disability due to lack of sufficient nexus opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease, cervical radiculitis with right ulnar neuropathy, and pes planus (fallen arches). The issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, specifically bilateral pes planus, low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and shin splints.

The Veteran's neck and back conditions are remanded for further examination to determine if they were caused or aggravated by his periods of active duty, inactive duty training, or pre-existing scoliosis. His hearing loss is also remanded for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected lumbar strain residuals is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition, including range of motion testing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The case is remanded to adjudicate the issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as a result of service connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's lower back disability, diagnosed as sacroiliitis and degenerative disc disease, is related to service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.