Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, granted service connection for tinnitus, and denied service connection for residuals of partial colon resection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that his current low back disorder began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to adjudicate the special monthly compensation claim and has therefore remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disorder and for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis and cervical spine osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine strain and cervical spine strain have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's claim for hypothyroidism has also been denied, with the Board concluding that his condition did not begin during service.

The Board has remanded several issues due to the need for additional development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of evaluation as directed in the March 2013 remand. The issues are now pending for further review.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, low back, and right shoulder disabilities due to new evidence submitted within one year of the August 2014 rating decision. However, the claims remain denied as there is no new and material evidence to support reopening of the original service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claims for right knee and back disabilities remain denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral chronic autosomal polycystic kidney disease is rated at 30 percent from October 1, 2006 to October 15, 2014. The claim for a higher rating is denied. Service connection for low back and abdominal or gastrointestinal disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a status post lumbosacral spine with fusion and degenerative disc disease of the lower back, as well as alcohol dependence secondary to a lumbosacral spine condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, heart disability, and hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected hiatal hernia and GERD, is granted. The initial rating of 30 percent for service-connected hiatal hernia and GERD is also granted. However, the issue regarding service connection for a thoracolumbar back disorder remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his mechanical low back pain and intervertebral disc syndrome was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his low back disability has been dismissed because he withdrew the appeal in a written statement.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the claims as they are no longer relevant.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for lumbar spine disorder, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and scar, inner lower lip due to issues with the Veteran's current address. The VA needs to verify his new address and obtain updated treatment records.