Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

Service connection is granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Veteran's psychiatric and gastrointestinal issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include migraine headaches, a left forehead laceration, tinea pedis of the bilateral feet, gout, sleep apnea, multiple painful joints, allergies, bilateral knee swelling with pain, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a bilateral ankle injury, an upper and lower back disorder, and tinnitus. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining SSA records, VA treatment records, and examinations.

The Veteran's previously denied skin disorder claim is reopened, and service connection for a lower back disability is granted. Service connection for psychiatric disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no credible evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year post-service. The VA examiner concluded that any current back disabilities are less likely related to the 1980 injury due to genetic and lifestyle factors.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for a back disability, heart disability, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diarrhea), acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety, depression, and PTSD), respiratory disability (claimed as breathing problems) to include COPD, left upper quadrant curvilinear calcification (claimed as aortic aneurysm), and enlarged prostate have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, low back disability, and headache disability due to inadequate opinions in the June 2013 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for a back disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The claim for service connection of low back disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service injury.

The rating reduction from 40 percent to 10 percent for lumbar spondylosis with chronic back pain and degenerative disc disease effective October 20, 2010 was improper, and the 40 percent rating is restored.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and a need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbosacral spine and left knee disabilities. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations, provide him with proper notice of these examinations, obtain all outstanding records, and ensure that he provides any additional evidence needed.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury due to multiple post-service injuries and lack of continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection. The lumbar spine condition, including spina bifida, is being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective from June 18, 2015. The Board finds that the earlier effective date of September 11, 2012 should be granted as it was determined by VA in September 2012 that the Veteran could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected post-traumatic headaches.

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

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability may be related to his service-connected bronchial asthma, but needs further examination and evidence to make a determination.

The Veteran's immediate cause of death was hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease. The Board found that the service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death, and there were no pending claims for accrued benefits at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine condition began during his active service and granted service connection for it.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate development and examination reports. The VA is required to obtain additional records, schedule examinations, and provide adequate opinions.