Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board remands the claims for service connection for PTSD, a multi-level back condition, bilateral heel spurs, multiple joint arthralgias, flat feet, hallux valgus and second hammer toes, bilateral to the RO for further development.

The appeal is remanded for an adequate medical examination and to address the veteran's unemployability.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for lumbosacral strain and entitlement to TDIU, as the evidence did not support that the veteran's service-connected condition rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's major depressive disorder was rated as 30 percent disabling prior to July 12, 2002, and then increased to 70 percent effective from that date.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or establish service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were remanded for further development, including a possible RO hearing or informal conference.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and low back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service and no credible medical opinion linking his current condition to military service.

The appeal is remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction for further development and readjudication.

The appeal was remanded to obtain additional service medical records and to schedule the appellant for a VA examination if necessary.

The veteran's low back disability is not pronounced, and the service-connected tinnitus has been rated at the maximum schedular rating.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of moderate limitation of motion, muscle spasm on extreme forward bending, or other factors that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to higher ratings based on the criteria provided by the applicable rating codes.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied, with the exception of a grant of service connection for GERD and arthritis in both knees.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of various conditions, and the Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Board remands the case to the RO for initial review and consideration of additional evidence received since the most recent supplemental statement of the case.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen a claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities are being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence.