Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective November 3, 2011. The rating has been granted for the orthopedic manifestations of the condition and separate ratings have been assigned for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on all the pending claims prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and bilateral knee disability are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is needed. The claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease will be adjudicated on a direct basis, and if there is a material change in the claim for increase for lumbar strain, it will also be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back, neck, left arm, right arm, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a comprehensive VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right hip disorder have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran while his appeal was pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his low back disability has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal in writing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for an adequate opinion regarding service connection on a secondary basis, specifically addressing whether the Veteran's low back disability is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected left ankle condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion are inadequate for determining service connection due to an incomplete or inaccurate factual premise. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service back pain and injuries have not been considered, and the examiner did not consider the Veteran's first period of active duty from July 1967 to May 1970.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to deficiencies in the VA examination reports. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is pending.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to service-connected left knee disability. A supplemental VA medical opinion is needed to address whether the low back disorders are aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial higher ratings for PTSD, scar status post laminectomy and chronic capsulitis of the left foot.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and the Board finds that his symptoms during military service were more likely due to stress or other causes than to sleep apnea. The Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA spine examination and updated medical records. The claim will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current knee and back conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to injuries and treatment during active service.