Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a current bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulatory criteria, and thus denied this claim. For the rating period from December 12, 2007, the Veteran is granted a 100 percent schedular rating for hypothyroidism due to service connection. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot given the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for hypothyroidism. SMC at the housebound rate was awarded from October 24, 2008 to January 14, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his active service. The right hip disability claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent since January 22, 2009. The effective date for the award of TDIU is set to July 20, 2009.

The Veteran's current residuals of a back injury, diagnosed as mild lumbosacral DJD and DDD, originated during his active service. The Board has determined that the criteria for establishing service connection are met.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's low back disorder, including his service-connected conditions and any potential exposure to environmental factors. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed low back disorders.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine disability and TDIU prior to July 1, 2015 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the period from September 20, 2005, to October 12, 2012, or since October 12, 2012.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that new and material evidence supports this claim. Service connection is now established for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his bilateral pes planus, back disability, and bilateral leg disability (including peripheral vascular disease, intrinsic/extrinsic strain to calves, and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction), finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The Veteran's service connection claims for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's initial claims for higher ratings for his knee disabilities were denied. However, he was granted temporary total evaluations due to right and left total knee replacements.,His claims of service connection for a left ankle disability and a right ankle disability have been reopened.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral pes planus and ingrown toenails have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had pre-existing conditions in service but did not aggravate them during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is related to his service, specifically from wearing heavy and uncomfortable equipment during his service in Iraq. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and service personnel records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, head injury, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The claim for migraine headaches was not addressed. The Veteran is found to have a need for aid and attendance due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's cervical myositis and C5-6 degenerative disc disease are being remanded for further examination to determine if they were aggravated by his service-connected lumbar strain.