Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing as requested by the Veteran. The appeal is not about service connection at this stage.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his claims, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The appeal will be remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine condition, neurological condition of the bilateral upper extremities, and tinnitus as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing. The appeal will be further considered after the hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA and state disability benefits records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is currently under review.

The Veteran's low back disability and lumbar radiculopathy are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to obtain service treatment records and verify all periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA, as well as any line of duty investigations. The TDIU claim will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, knee and ankle injuries, a muscle disorder, diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an anxiety disorder. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's eye disability claim has been reopened. The back disability claim is not established as the evidence does not show a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence on file, including a need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are found to be the cause of his lumbosacral spine disability, and he is granted a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee instability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was granted an increased rating of 40 percent effective December 7, 2013. The issues related to right lower extremity radiculopathy and leg length discrepancy were also addressed.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from March 28, 2012. Service connection for a rash, including eczema, due to PTSD, is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disorder and bilateral hip disorders to allow for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition and his acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, as secondary to a service-connected back condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to injury or event in active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is not service-connected. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a secondary relationship between her back disorder and her right ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various foot and elbow conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent for her right elbow fracture, cervical degenerative disc disease, or plantar fasciitis with heel spurs.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations regarding his service-connected disabilities, including DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, DJD of the left ankle, chondromalacia patella of the left knee, chondromalacia patella of the right knee with degenerative changes, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.