Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, lower back disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's disabilities were not found to be related to his active military service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection.,Service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, cystic skin lesions, a respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for numbness in the left leg is granted, but not for his fatigue or TDIU. The case is remanded for additional development regarding service connection for fatigue and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as the need to adjudicate other claims inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degeneration, cervical strain, and right knee disability are secondary to his service-connected left foot DJD. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral rotator cuff tendonitis, a bilateral foot condition, headaches/migraine headaches, back condition, neck condition, mental health disorder (including sleep disorder), and nephritis due to new and material evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear disorder is denied as there is no diagnosed chronic ear disorder.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to April 8, 2003, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied due to lack of evidence of persistent bleeding or anemia.,The Veteran's claim for a 20 percent evaluation or greater for gastric ulcer disorder as of November 24, 2010, is granted. Prior to this date, the claim remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for low back disorder is denied due to lack of evidence of ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome resulting in incapacitating episodes totalling at least six weeks in a twelve-month period.,The Veteran's claim for a separate evaluation for urinary incontinence as a neurological manifestation of his low back disorder is granted.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The claim to reopen the service connection for lumbar spine disability is granted. The claims for left knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for a low back disorder, but not hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since May 25, 2011. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, right leg sciatica, and left leg sciatica due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic low back disability during service and insufficient post-service medical records to establish a direct link between his current condition and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, right knee, TBI, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine strain is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of private treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities have worsened since his last VA examination in May 2016, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of lumbosacral strain based on CUE, and remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disability due to in-service exposure to diesel fumes.

The Veteran's left ventricular hypertrophy and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, migraines, and status post left knee replacement are remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for tinea versicolor is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar sprine arthritis and degenerative disc disease. The appeal regarding left foot corns (claimed as left foot pain) and right foot pain is remanded.