Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected thoracic and lumbar spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in service and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine could not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine and radiculopathy disorders. The TDIU issue will be deferred until completion of the actions directed in this remand.

The Veteran's low back disorder is etiologically related to his period of active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's asthma has been granted a 60 percent evaluation from February 11, 2003 to February 26, 2004. The remaining claims have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion from an orthopedic physician and acquiring all relevant VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for a back disability and nerve damage to the hand due to inadequate development. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy warrant a rating of 20 percent each, effective November 22, 2010.

The Board has vacated its previous decision and is now remanding the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to November 1, 2001 for service connection of lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not have its onset during service, was not shown to be related to a disease or injury in service, and could not be presumed due to exposure to herbicides. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's current low back disability is connected to his in-service injury.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right hip and back disorders, as well as whether they are related to his service-connected chronic strain of the right tibia and fibula.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is not about service connection at this stage.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right knee disorders are not related to service or an incident of service origin.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to his service, and the Board finds that he did not serve in qualifying for VA benefits periods of active duty or National Guard service when a motor vehicle accident occurred resulting in back disability. The Veteran's left elbow bursitis is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for knee and ankle disabilities were denied. The Board found that the effective dates for lumbar spine and left cheek scar disabilities could not be earlier than October 6, 2009 due to lack of prior claims. The claim for a right hip disability was granted with an effective date of October 6, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability were denied. The Board found no current hip disabilities, and the examiner could not provide an opinion regarding aggravation of preexisting conditions due to lack of medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been rated at 10 percent since June 1, 2011. The Board found that his disability did not warrant a higher rating based on its current severity.