Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, SSA records, and an addendum to the April 2013 examination report. The Veteran is also scheduled for a Social and Industrial Survey.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's diagnosed back disability had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service, and therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed left hip and back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support granting these claims based on secondary service connection. The rating for residuals of a left knee injury was also denied.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various knee, hip, toe, and foot disorders as well as sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are based on the absence of current diagnoses or medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, a subdural hematoma due to a probable head trauma resulting from a fall, was not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hypertension and low back spondylosis were granted. For hypertension, a noncompensable rating was increased to a 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period. For low back spondylosis, a 20 percent rating was maintained prior to May 7, 2013, but no higher ratings are warranted on or after that date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected back disability caused or substantially contributed to his death by suicide, and if so, whether it aggravated a nonservice-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has ordered new examinations for the appellant's low back and left foot disabilities, as well as a right thumb disability. The case is being remanded to obtain VA medical opinions that address whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's cluster headaches have been granted a 10 percent initial evaluation, effective as of the date of the July 2013 rating decision. The back disability and right ankle surgery with strain issues are both granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new psychiatric examination. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's mechanical low back pain, finding that the schedular criteria did not meet the requirements for a higher evaluation. The case was also referred to consider extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to the need for further development and evidentiary review.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability and left leg numbness. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the claims, including obtaining medical records and an addendum from the December 2011 VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, hip disabilities, and low back disability. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for clarification of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current back disorder is aggravated by his service-connected pilonidal cyst condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and review by the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not related to his service, as there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and low back disorder claims are pending.