Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected left knee disability, including claims for back, hip, and knee disabilities. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a video conference hearing. Service connection for a back disorder secondary to asthma, as well as increased evaluations for asthma and bilateral cataracts are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is incurred during service and grants service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed left-sided abdominal or hip pain disability in service, and the Veteran has not provided sufficient credible evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology. Therefore, service connection for this issue is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder, but denied the claim on its merits.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back and left knee conditions, including a lack of VA examination records. The Veteran is directed to provide updated medical records and undergo an examination if necessary.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and examining him for his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, a cervical spine disability, and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The claims are based on direct service connection due to in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability has been denied as there is no evidence of the claimed condition during the pendency of his claim.

The Veteran's claim for increased special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(r)(1) and/or � 1114(r)(2) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from University Hospital and VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, as well as arranging for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including consideration of recent VA treatment records and potential referral to the Director of Compensation for an extraschedular rating.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 24, 2010 for the awards of service connection for myositis of the cervical spine, myositis of the lumbar spine, and a right knee strain. The claim for an earlier effective date for right hip bursitis is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability and increased ratings for his lower back disability, left leg varicose veins, and right and left leg sciatica. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 3, 2007 for the award of service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease. The effective date is based on the date the Veteran submitted a new claim to reopen his previously denied low back disability claim.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability in January 2003, finding no link between the condition and active duty service. The Veteran's motion argued that the decision was incorrect due to missing evidence from May 2000.