Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for facet osteoarthritis of the L4-L5 and L5-S1, or arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The issue of service connection for a bilateral hip disability, to include as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of VA treatment records. The issue remains about entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left shoulder, and arthritis of the left leg disabilities. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the Veteran and his attorney indicating they wish to withdraw their appeals for increased ratings for right knee disabilities and service connection for lumbar spine disc disease and a skin rash. The remaining issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is being remanded.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection and assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.,Tinnitus has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain, left knee disorder, allergic rhinitis, and renal failure. The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to lack of adjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the low back is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an equipment malfunction in the audio recording of his November 2014 hearing. He will be scheduled for a new video conference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing. The claim of reopening service connection for low back disorder will be addressed after scheduling the hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities were denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was established as meeting the criteria for a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and PTSD. The remaining issues of right knee disorder, back disorder, and alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased rating for low back pain and strain, TDIU claim, and reopening of service connection claims. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, is etiologically related to a fall he incurred while serving active duty in the Navy. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his claim for service connection was granted.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete or insufficient opinions in the previous remand. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disorder are being returned for further review.

The Veteran's appeals for an extraschedular evaluation for migraines and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and opinion addressing his claim for TDIU, referral of his extraschedular evaluation claim to the Director of the VA Compensation Service, and additional VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral/thoracic strain and obstructive sleep apnea are both found to be related to service, with the lumbosacral/thoracic strain being linked to an in-service IED blast and the obstructive sleep apnea first manifesting during active duty.