Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to service, and his bilateral hearing loss disability is not shown by the evidence of record. Service connection for low back disability is granted, while service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if service connection should be granted for hypertension, gout, right knee disorder, low back disorder, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities are not service-connected. The claim for PTSD is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The right knee ACL tear does not warrant a compensable rating, and the TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disorder and otitis media, as well as his claim to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for tension headaches. The Board also denied his TDIU claim.

The Board denied entitlement to extraschedular evaluations for cervical strain and lumbar strain, finding that the symptoms were fully contemplated by the schedular rating criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The other conditions have also been evaluated and do not warrant increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are not related to her service or any service-connected conditions. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is permanently aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a left knee injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability during service or within one year after discharge, and the Veteran's current claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to afford the Veteran a VA examination and obtain relevant medical records. The issues on appeal include service connection for hiatal hernia, right leg disability (secondary to low back disability), right hip disability (secondary to low back disability), and low back disability.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain with osteoarthritis and GERD have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's incarceration, including scheduling an appropriate VA examination and considering his circumstances when arranging the medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine the validity of his stressor allegations and a VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric or back disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining her service treatment records and verifying her military duty status. The VA will also schedule examinations to determine if she currently has any back or spine disability, gastrointestinal disorder, or psychiatric disorder, as well as whether these conditions are related to her service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, posttraumatic low back pain status post T-12 anterior compression fracture with thoracic degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, and lumbar strain, is rated at 20 percent. The rating is denied as the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of his lumbar spine disability, including orthopedic, neurological, and genitourinary examinations.