Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has found that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a back disability due to incomplete medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case is REMANDED for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at a private hospital is denied because the emergency services provided were not rendered in an emergency situation as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability, which he claims was incurred during active duty in the early 1970s. The Board finds that additional development is needed to obtain missing service treatment records and VA/VA-issued medical records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability, which he contends was incurred during active duty. The VA examiner found the current condition less likely related to his military service but more likely due to post-service events. Further examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, extent and etiology of the Veteran's current low back disability. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted service connection for insomnia.,Service connection is established for a back disorder on the merits, as well as for insomnia.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral strain, including degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, was increased to 40 percent effective December 7, 2010.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his service-connected left knee DJD with cartilage dysfunction and lumbosacral strain have been granted, but the claims are denied as he does not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on instability or limitation of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back and right leg injury, finding that the evidence did not support the claim based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric and bowel disabilities, as well as a neurogenic bladder disability secondary to his back disability have been granted. Effective dates are assigned based on the date of claim or evidence of unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to reconcile conflicting findings of lumbar radiculitis and neurologic deficits.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability did not have onset in service and was not caused or aggravated by his active military service, including his service connected bilateral knee disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease remains at 20 percent, effective April 30, 2006. The evidence does not show any new or material evidence to reopen the claim, and there are no incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are due to an injury sustained during his inactive duty for training in November 2003, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have been incurred in service, and the other claims for service connection were granted.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his back disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the claim, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and remanded it for further development. The effective dates for hidradenitis suppurativa and hiatal hernia were granted as December 30, 2005.