Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability and is granting it, as new and material evidence has been received since the last final denial in June 2007. The VA examiner opined that the current lumbar condition was less likely caused by or related to treatment during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back, neck, wrist, ankle, and knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent for his lumbosacral spine disability, 30 percent for his cervical spine disability, 10 percent for his right wrist injury, 10 percent for his right ankle disability, or 10 percent for his right knee tendonitis.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee, right hip and low back disabilities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of lumbar disc fusion at L-4 were evaluated and found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his disability did not include unfavorable ankylosis or limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects the limitation of motion and associated symptoms. His bilateral hearing loss is also rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's appeal is currently on hold.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected low back injury is currently rated at 20 percent, reflecting limitation of motion with flexion to 45 degrees. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate VA examination in May 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, specifically arachnoiditis, is related to his in-service appendectomy and spinal anesthesia. The decision resolves all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to address specific issues in the claims. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service-connected prostatitis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate statement of reasons and bases in the March 2005 VA examination report, which did not address a service record noting low back pain.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a request for a hearing.