Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, left knee disability, and ulcer to allow for additional development. The claims will be considered on the basis of the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability. The decision also addressed a previously denied claim to reopen for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, finding no evidence of chronic disability resulting from in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, as the overall record supports a finding that his current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran and resolves all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA and non-VA treatment records related to the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with peptic ulcers were denied. The Veteran's service connection claims are based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and whether they are related to service. The case will be remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance due to his lumbar spine disability is being remanded for further evaluation, including an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted. The claims for hiatal hernia with GERD and other conditions are being remanded as new evidence was submitted post-October 2006 SOC.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is manifested by limitation of forward flexion to 35 degrees, with pain starting at 30 degrees. The combined range of motion is most severely limited to 94 degrees. This meets the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5237.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board finds that the Appellant's lumbar spine disorder was aggravated by a June 2006 injury during ACDUTRA, warranting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the appellant's low back disability from August 9, 2008. Prior to this date, a 10 percent evaluation was assigned.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, which he claims is related to his service-connected peripheral vascular disease. The case has been remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether the lumbar spine disorder is caused or aggravated by the service-connected peripheral vascular disease.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records, provide the Veteran with an adequate VA spine examination, and determine whether service connection for low back strain can be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain clarification of her periods of active duty, inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and active duty. She seeks service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spine disorder, intervertebral disc degeneration of the lumbar spine, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and hysterectomy.