Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and spina bifida occulta, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the current medical evidence.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for DJD of the low back was granted, and a separate compensable disability rating for post operative residuals of hemorrhoidectomies with anal stricture was also granted. The Board found that referral for an extraschedular rating was not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine disorder, left lower leg neuropathy, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and left foot disorder.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of chronic sinusitis and denied her claim for service connection. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for mechanical mid-low back pain is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain missing treatment records from Dr. Desai and an addendum to the February 2014 addendum, as well as notification for lay statements.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, but his disability picture warrants a higher rating due to additional functional loss from flare-ups and pain. The Board has granted an increased rating to 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 2, 1999.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has ordered additional development and remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder, and right hip disorders are related to service. The appeal is now REMANDED.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, and his right wrist scar does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and determining if additional evidence is available. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for additional development and consideration, including to verify his alleged stressors related to PTSD. The claims will be readjudicated in light of all additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities and determine if she is unemployable due to those conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's low back strain with narrowing of L5-S1 disc space is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for any higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no compensable hearing loss or significant impairment from his diagnosed conditions. The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to withdrawal of his appeal regarding the left hand rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disorders, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not due to injuries sustained during a helicopter crash in Vietnam. The claims were reopened based on new evidence related to an injury in service.