Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative changes warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran is also entitled to a separate 10 percent evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that an addendum VA medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and whether her scoliosis worsened during active service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, sleep disorder, and depression have all been denied. The denial of the back disability claim is due to it not being addressed in this decision. The denial of the sleep disorder claim was based on lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The denial of the depression claim was due to the absence of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine degeneration has been rated as noncompensable prior to October 26, 2012, and 10 percent thereafter. He is also granted separate ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities associated with his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew her claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a miscarriage, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability (generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be considered again with extraschedular consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine and left leg disabilities are not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The claims of service connection and increased ratings are pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, TDIU, and service connection were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal due to satisfaction with her current 100 percent combined disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back condition and radiculopathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and has determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish that his current lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is related to service, granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues remain on hold until further notice.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent, and the issues of service connection for right clavicle condition, TBI residuals, hearing loss, foot spasms, cervical strain, and depression are all granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased initial evaluations for service-connected cervical and lumbar strain are being remanded to obtain additional VA examination and treatment records, as well as to provide a comprehensive medical opinion regarding the current severity of his disabilities.