Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities due to new evidence showing possible in-service onset of symptoms.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss disability as it meets the definition of a present disability under VA regulations.

The Board has granted the reopening of a claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, but denied the claim itself due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a cervical spine condition has been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine condition and a sciatic nerve condition, as secondary to a cervical spine condition.

The Board has dismissed the claims for specially adapted housing and service connection for complex regional pain syndrome, as these benefits were already granted. The left foot disability claim is denied due to exceeding the amputation level rating. The low back and hip disabilities are remanded for further development including obtaining additional medical records and securing an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations, and a new examination is required.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and tinnitus. The claim for neuropathy of the bilateral hands and fingers is denied due to lack of diagnosis. The claim for neuropathy of the bilateral feet is also denied. The claim for a lumbar spine disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations, and a new examination is required to assess the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service connected due to a link between the condition and his in-service back strain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his low back disability and for consideration of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for low back disability is granted and remanded for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, skin rash (discoid lupus erythematosus), and depression. The Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative disc disease and arthritis in the lumbar spine, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, associated with thoracic scoliosis and chronic lumbar strain was granted effective May 28, 2014. The initial rating for back condition remains remanded.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's low back disability, but did not address a claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 10, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including consideration of an earlier effective date for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that her symptoms are not related to military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied because the Veteran does not have a current disability. The Board notes that she did sustain acoustic trauma during active service, but this alone is not sufficient to establish service connection.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD due to MST is remanded as new evidence requires a review of her psychiatric symptoms under DSM-5 criteria.,Service connection for back disability is remanded as the VA examiner’s opinion was inadequate and did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of her back disability.,The Veteran's claim for sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea, is remanded as no sleep study has been performed to diagnose sleep apnea. The Board also notes that more information is needed about the status of her ovaries.,Service connection for sinusitis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the VA examiner’s opinion was inadequate.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for major depressive disorder is remanded due to new information indicating worsening symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for salpingo-oophoritis with removal of right ovary is remanded as more information about the status of her ovaries is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in prior rating decisions are being remanded due to the Board lacking jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, but denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability or his acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.