Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete information. The Veteran needs further VA examinations to address his back disability, right leg disability, right hip disability, hernia condition, and thyroid disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete information. The Veteran must be provided with additional examinations and opinions regarding his back disability, right leg disability, right hip disability, hernia, and thyroid disorder.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability based on the submission of new and material evidence is denied. The claims for right hip, left hip disabilities, and carpal tunnel syndrome (right and left upper extremities) are remanded.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the Veteran's low back disability effective January 15, 2004. The evidence shows that the Veteran experiences significant limitation of motion due to pain and flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, depression, and hypertension have been denied. The claim for schizoaffective disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for tinnitus and PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of an earlier claim or intent to apply for benefits.,For the remaining issues, including service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, low back disability, skin rash, and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, the case has been remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for dry mouth and bilateral CTS, as well as various rating claims. The Veteran's hallux valgus, pes planus, cervical spine conditions, and shoulder separation were all rated appropriately.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to ensure that the VA examinations are adequate and include all necessary testing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a low back disability and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining updated treatment records, conducting VA examinations, and providing medical opinions.

Service connection for a low back disability is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss may not be reopened as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 20, 2012, for the award of service connection for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine is denied. The case is remanded due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the findings in the April 2013 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome was denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for a low back disorder due to incomplete development and outstanding records. The Veteran is advised to appear for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as there is no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date prior to December 27, 2011.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as the criteria for such entitlement have not been met.

The Veteran's chronic frontal sinusitis is granted a 30 percent disability rating prior to January 12, 2015 and denied any higher. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the case is no longer in appellate status.

The Veteran's back condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected left ankle DJD. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, lumbosacral degenerative disease, and bilateral pes planus. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran is service-connected for bilateral pes planus, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and residuals of inguinal hernia. The combined evaluation is 50 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.