Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher disability rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability, with the effective date being November 18, 2015. The case was remanded in July 2015 and requires additional examination to assess current severity of the condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues related to his service-connected conditions, with no new evidence provided that would warrant reopening the claims.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties under the VCAA. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and hypertension, as well as his claim regarding the rating for PTSD, are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require regular aid and attendance or render him housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, including those related to his employment at police and fire departments, worker's compensation claim, and surgeries. A VA examination is also needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to evaluate his lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled hearing. He will be rescheduled for a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be fully adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA records, arranging for a VA pension examination, and explaining whether SSA records show that the Veteran's disabilities prevent him from working.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion regarding his back disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA and private treatment records, service personnel records, and examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post right knee arthroplasty and degenerative disc disease at L4, L5, and S1, render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to her permanent and total disability rating.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back and ankle disorders are not related to his active service, with no nexus found between any current diagnoses and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss, skin disability, or thoracolumbar spine disability. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that these disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to service and grants service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining employment history and treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to impact his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.