Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need to obtain private medical records. The Veteran's lumbar spine, right leg, and depressive disorder claims will be reconsidered based on the expanded record.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder to his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for new medical examination and records, including from Dr. R.S.J. and Augusta Street Clinic.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's occipital headaches are likely secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and did not find any evidence of a new and material condition to reopen the claim. The VA examiner concluded that the current back disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, diagnosed as pes cavus, was incurred in service and is granted. The Veteran's upper back disability has not been linked to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, including lumbar radiculopathy, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a cervical spine injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and further examination of the Veteran's current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability, including degenerative disc disease. The evidence received since the August 2008 denial relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is directly related to his military service and grants service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right femur fracture, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for low back, right hip, and right knee disorders that he claims are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The Board finds the evidence raises a theory of entitlement on a secondary basis and remands for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and scheduling him for a VA examination.