Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to July 23, 2007 for the award of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied as no claim was received before that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar and thoracic spine condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury, granting service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's impairment of sphincter control, status post hemorrhoidectomy, has been granted a 30 percent rating effective July 28, 2008. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the increased rating claim for hypertension with headaches as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in November 2015.

The Veteran's left wrist arthritis is presumed to be related to service. His lumbar spine disability, diagnosed in service, has persisted since then and is considered presumptive due to his active duty service. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for arthritis with a separate 20 percent rating for instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with strain. The claim for a higher evaluation for the lumbar spine disability prior to March 7, 2014, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not linked to his military service, including an in-service injury sustained during combat. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back and left hip disabilities, as well as consider all theories of service connection.

The appellant is at least as likely as not in need of aid and attendance based on physical incapacity, which requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect the claimant from hazards or dangers incident to her daily environment. The Board finds that she needs regular aid and assistance due to medical conditions such as dizziness, imbalance, angina, fatigue, dyspnea, pain, numbness, and falls.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new hearing due to issues related to service connection for various conditions including heart, liver, respiratory, and dental conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressor and established a nexus between this stressor and his current symptoms.

The Board has directed that the Veteran be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus and low back syndrome. The case is also remanded for clarification of the Veteran's address and rescheduling of the examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand disorder and lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing new VA examinations.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lumbar spine disability that she claims is secondary to her service-connected right hip disability. The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is proximately due to or caused by her service-connected right hip disability, and if so, whether it is aggravated by this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability, psychiatric disability, or hypertension that were incurred during his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The TDIU issue remains in dispute.