Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain has not worsened since his last VA examination in 2013, and thus does not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for osteoarthritis, thoracolumbar spine and a left leg disorder including numbness as secondary to the back condition have been denied. His hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination in regard to his back disorder. The claims of service connection for asbestosis, silicosis, and sinus disorders are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, but the claims for erectile dysfunction and heart condition remain pending as they are not fully addressed in this decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals seeking to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension and a low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board due to lack of evidence supporting his assertions or current diagnoses.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the Veteran's claimed low back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that any diagnosed conditions are related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, neuropathy of left lower extremity, and neuropathy of right lower extremity. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.,Regarding the acquired psychiatric condition claim (including PTSD and dysthymia), the Veteran's current mental health records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for such conditions, and the VA examiner could not provide an opinion without speculation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and lower back condition are related to his military service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted the appeal to restore the 20 percent rating for lumbar spine DDD from June 21, 2013. The case is now remanded to consider a claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability and whether he has a current right ankle disability. The issues of service connection for a right ankle disability and rating for the thoracolumbar spine disability are also on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of fracture of the right little finger was denied. However, his claims for service connection for bilateral hallux valgus and bilateral pes planus were reopened.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is found to be related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder). The decision found that new evidence did not establish a nexus to service in some cases.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his current disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities, including myofascial pain syndrome of the lumbar spine, migraine headaches with syncopal episodes, left foot plantar fasciitis, hypertension, and right foot plantar fasciitis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbar levoscoliosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and its functional effects. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised in this case.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability prior to August 3, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter; TDIU; and earlier effective date for service connection for a low back disability. The appellant also withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis.