Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his low back and left leg disabilities.

The Board has remanded this case for further development, including scheduling the Veteran for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to incomplete records and need further development. The claim of reopening a previously denied headaches claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and lumbar degenerative disc disease status post microdiscectomy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions provided in his April 2010 VA examination. Additional evidence is needed, including treatment records from both VA and private sources.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen his claims for service connection of a bilateral leg/knee condition and back condition. Further development is needed before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral ankle condition, finding that new and material evidence has been received.,Service connection is granted for a low back disability and bilateral ankle condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of a low back disability, and the Board is dismissing this matter.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for arthritis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right knee.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lost tooth due to trauma, melanoma, and shoulder disabilities. The decision also found that new evidence did not reopen his claim of service connection for loss of a tooth due to trauma.

The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not have limitation of motion severe enough to meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability determination, to be eligible for Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits under Title 38, Chapter 35, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not causally or etiologically related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board affirms that the Veteran's low back disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus granting service connection for his low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 40 percent, effective October 13, 2009. The RO reduced this rating to 20 percent from February 1, 2011, through February 4, 2016. The Board finds that the reduction was improper and restores the Veteran's previous 40 percent disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left arm disorder, chronic low back pain, and right leg arthritis. The evidence received since the last denial is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are currently evaluated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating for these conditions. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and its impact on his ability to work.