Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet criteria for service connection for PTSD, and his claimed low back disorder is best characterized as primary insomnia. The Veteran's other claims of service connection were denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's left hip disability and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities have been granted initial evaluations, while his lumbosacral spine condition remains at a non-compensable level. The left hip disability is rated based on limitation of flexion, with a separate evaluation for limitation of extension.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a mid-low back disorder, which may be secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The Board has determined that the case should be remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for increased ratings for hypertension and low-back disability.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain updated VA and private medical records, as well as any SSA disability benefits related documents. The Veteran's claims for hypertension and lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease and diffuse lumbar spondylosis of the lumbar spine, is related to service. The claim for vertigo secondary to PTSD will be remanded as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure. The claims for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA or private treatment records and a Social Security Administration decision. He also needs to undergo VA examinations for his lumbar spine disability and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of cervical spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and low back disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a rescheduled hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability and Raynaud's disease were not incurred in or aggravated by service, with no clear evidence of a nexus to his active service.

The Veteran does not have a chronic back disability attributable to his military service and the Board finds that any current back disability is related to post-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has not been shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed low back disorders are caused and/or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a compound fracture of the right tibia and fibula, granting him service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection for a back disability has been granted.