Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as an orthopedic/neurologic examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and a lumbar spine disorder. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining records from military treatment facilities and clarifying her status as a dependent. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 9, 2012 at St. Vincents Medical Center Southside were not reimbursable because the services were not authorized in advance by VA and there was no emergency requiring immediate attention.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent since June 30, 2014. The rating for the left lumbar sensory radiculopathy remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection cannot be granted. The low back disability claim is remanded to provide an SOC.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and issuing a statement of the case for the increased rating claim. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and lumbar strain service connection claims are also being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as spondylosis and degenerative disk disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The evidence did not establish a link between his current condition and any incident during service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability that he contends is related to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA treatment records, is necessary before the claim can be decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, eye disability (undiagnosed illness), sleep apnea (undiagnosed illness), chronic fatigue syndrome (undiagnosed illness), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal was also denied regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a right foot disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for hypercholesterolemia is denied as it does not constitute a compensable disability. Service connection for left leg edema is remanded. For the lumbar spine disability, the Veteran's condition warrants no more than a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's mechanical lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms. The right shoulder condition and follicular eczema are both currently rated appropriately.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current disability meeting VA standards.,Service connection granted for left ear hearing loss, with the condition etiologically related to an injury in service.,Service connection not established for a low back condition due to lack of chronic disability manifestation or evidence linking it to service.,Muscle contractions in the right hand were not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions.,Muscle contractions in the left hand were also not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection for an undiagnosed illness (including gastrointestinal disorder, bronchitis, and fatigue) was denied as there is no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbar spine disorder with spondylosis and bilateral peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and service connection. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the issues of secondary service connection and missing private medical records.

The Veteran's request for a travel board hearing was not properly notified, and the Board is remanding the case to schedule another hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the service-connected right testicle disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities are supported by competent medical evidence, and reasonable doubt is resolved in his favor.