Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's GERD is manifested by epigastric pain, dysphagia, and pyrosis productive of considerable impairment of health. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disorder, or hypertension that was incurred or aggravated in service. The claim for vision disorder is denied as it did not develop during service and is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate opinions regarding his low back disorder and scar, as well as the need for additional VA examinations. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and social worker evaluation to determine service connection for a low back disorder and competency to handle VA funds.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities and service connection for tinnitus are also being addressed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated as 20 percent prior to September 22, 2009 and increased to 40 percent effective May 16, 2011.,Prior to September 22, 2009, the evidence did not more nearly approximate forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not being scheduled for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is now pending and will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches have been granted service connection, with the cervical spine disability being related to multiple airborne jumps during active duty.,Headaches are secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and finds that it is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that further development is needed before the claim for service connection for a low back condition can be adjudicated. The Veteran's claims file must be returned to the examiner who conducted his November 2011 VA examination for an addendum opinion, and any outstanding medical records should be obtained.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 29, 2006 for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were pending within one year of his separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and lumbar spine osteoarthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough opinion from a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Division counselor regarding his employment status and functional limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development as there are outstanding VA treatment records and the issues on appeal require further consideration.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability did not increase in severity beyond its natural progression during service and is therefore not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar spine was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for this condition.