Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition in sound condition at entry into service, nor any increase in disability during service. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder. The appeal must be remanded to obtain legible copies of the Veteran's service treatment records, which may provide evidence relevant to his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities, left hip disability (left hip replacement), right knee disability (right knee replacement), low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing VA records and conducting medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling conflict for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claim of reopening his thoracolumbar spine disability and his bilateral knee disability are still pending.

The Board has determined that the September 2010 VA examination is inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims and a remand is required to obtain a supplemental opinion. Additionally, efforts are needed to obtain treatment records from Heartland Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with anxiety and depression is granted, while the TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his claim for service connection for a heart disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference Board hearing on his service connection claim for sleep apnea and increased rating claims for lumbar sprain and right knee patellar tendonitis.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical records and opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability, including whether it is related to his service-connected left foot bunion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide the Veteran with proper notice of his scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain and arthritis have been rated at 10% each. The increased rating to 20% for the lumbosacral strain is granted, as it meets the criteria for a 20% rating based on forward flexion of less than 60 degrees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to her active duty service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain has been rated at 10 percent, reflecting limitation of motion without severe muscle spasm or guarding resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a head injury, including cervical degenerative disc disease, is granted as the evidence supports that his current condition is related to his in-service head injury.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied as there is no current hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development due to the appellant's request for a video-conference hearing. The appeal is not yet decided on the merits of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the appellant's claim for additional development, including obtaining medical records and service personnel records. The case will be returned to the Board after this is completed.