Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his active military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a compensable rating or an increased rating beyond 10 percent. The service-connected low back disorder is found to be service connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete evidence. The case will be returned for further review after obtaining a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's cardiovascular disease, hypertension, right shoulder arthritis and back disorder are not related to his military service. The heart murmur in 1942 was considered a benign finding without evidence of subsequent treatment or diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disability, however diagnosed. The claim for PTSD is reopened.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back condition, and left foot injury due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a supplemental opinion on service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the sacroiliac joint and lumbar spine spondylosis, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that these conditions are not otherwise related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The hearing loss was granted, but at a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied increased ratings in all periods of time specified.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen these claims. The low back disorder is being considered secondary to his service-connected bilateral feet and ankle disorders, while the psychiatric disorder claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is not related to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's tinnitus and back disability claims. The case will be reviewed again after additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain has been rated at 20 percent since March 1989. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's forward flexion was 60 degrees, which meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left side pain due to a lightning strike, sleep disorder secondary to PTSD, and increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain. The Veteran was also not granted TDIU.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is productive of moderate paralysis, warranting a 20 percent rating. The appeal for TDIU was withdrawn prior to the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of pseudofolliculitis barbae and had this condition in service, thus granting service connection.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left leg radiculopathies, chronic blood disability, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.