Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current back disability that is causally or etiologically related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar hyperextension strain is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a back disability or left knee disability related to his active service and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the submission of additional service treatment records that were not previously considered in the previous denial. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any diagnosed low back disability.

The Veteran does not have service-connected disabilities that qualify him for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification or a new examination regarding service connection claims for low back injury, PTSD, and loss of peripheral vision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities do not warrant ratings greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference Board hearing at the RO. The issues include service connection claims and initial evaluation requests.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable prior to February 24, 2003 due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date for a TDIU is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, cervical spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a disability rating greater than 10 percent prior to January 27, 2009, and greater than 20 percent thereafter, for low back pain.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for an examination during a flare-up of symptoms.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back condition did not begin during or as a result of his military service, including as secondary to his service-connected left leg edema. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's back disorder is related to his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional private treatment records and providing an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to require regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for additional medical opinions to determine if it was incurred in service and whether the pre-existing condition worsened during service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and PTSD in February 2006, finding no new evidence to support the claims. The Veteran's petition to reopen these claims has been granted.,Service connection for PTSD is reopened based on new evidence provided since the last final denial.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis effective as of September 30, 2010 was improper. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease, is related to his active military service and grants entitlement to service connection.