Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorders, including his diagnosed scoliosis. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional VA treatment records and to determine whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his service connection claim for a back disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may be impacted by the outcome of these other claims.

The Board has ordered additional development of the record to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The remand includes obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and seeking VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating the claims file with any relevant VA or private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues related to his bilateral pes planus. The Board found that the ankle, knee and leg, hip, lumbar spondylosis, right shoulder strain, and left shoulder disabilities are not linked to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU were denied. The case was remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a back or left knee disability caused by his service, and denied both claims.

The RO reduced the Veteran's evaluations for coronary artery disease and lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, both of which were previously rated at higher levels. The reduction was granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is REMANDED due to a lack of recent VA examination and treatment records, as well as potential need for additional rating assignments.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 23, 2012. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective March 20, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of her symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for thoracic and lumbar degenerative disc disease is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The issue of an increased rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability is remanded.

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 lumbar spine disability and any right leg disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability is service-connected due to aggravation during active duty in Afghanistan. The right wrist disability was also found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's low back disability is not service connected, and his GERD, bilateral foot condition, right knee condition, headaches, and left arm condition are not related to service or any incident of service origin.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left kidney cancer, colorectal cancer, and back disability. The claim for residuals of a left leg injury is without merit as there is no evidence of current disability or link to service.,Service connection was not granted for any condition due to lack of medical nexus between in-service injuries and current conditions.

The appellant's claims for higher ratings and service connection for low back and right knee disabilities were denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability related to military service or service-connected residuals of left distal tibia and fibula fracture.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for chronic disability of the left and right ankles, numbness in the right lower extremity, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.