Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated medical records. The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU will be considered on both a schedular and extra-schedular basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial disability evaluations for service-connected spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine were denied. The first evaluation was granted at a 10 percent rating effective February 2, 1998 and later increased to 20 percent on July 7, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease from November 25, 2009 was denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and diabetes mellitus were denied by the Board. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating schedules.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spondylosis, a low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The decision found that new evidence was not sufficient to reopen the claim for cervical spondylosis, and that there was no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and right shoulder bursitis were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling an examination to assess the extent of his low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to military noise exposure. The claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to a need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, multilevel degenerative disc and spinal stenosis L1-L5 with degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis of the cervical spine at C6-C7 with degenerative arthritis, have resulted in a combined evaluation of 90 percent. The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected back injury or right hip arthritis, and denied the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The right leg condition (previously adjudicated as a right knee condition) remains on appeal.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes due to multiple disabilities, including his right knee and low back conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to issues related to service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's disabilities, including anxiety and low back pain, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability with degenerative joint disease is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction, an eye disability, a back disability, and a foot disability (claimed as 'bad feet'). The claim for lung disability, to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asbestosis, is pending. Service connection has been established for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and low back pain, as well as his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia. The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not found to be related to service.