Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and alcohol use disorder) has been reopened. The claims are now granted.,However, the issues of entitlement to initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU), and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance are still pending and require further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right shoulder degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine condition with sacroiliac weakness and disc disease, and left ankle sprain due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, is granted. The rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) remains at 60 percent and the claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The low back disability, liver cancer with liver transplant, hypertension, and TDIU claims are all remanded.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a skin disability was denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a low back disability was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that more evidence is needed to decide these cases.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and related conditions, as well as his left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and femoral radiculopathy, have been granted increased ratings. The effective dates for these decisions are August 4, 2011.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of clear and unmistakable aggravation during service. The Veteran's representative requested additional development regarding his foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but has remanded the issue of service connection for left leg chronic edema due to missing or incomplete medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding when the Veteran became unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation and whether he needs aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to ensure that due process is followed and a complete record is available. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for rhabdomyolysis but has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability, which is secondary to rhabdomyolysis.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment as of September 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative disc disease (DDD) at L4/L5/S1 with intervertebral disc syndrome, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and residuals of the right foot status post-hammertoe correction due to new evidence and updated examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim, but additional development is required as the VA examiner did not adequately address the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for his service-connected low back condition and migraines due to inadequate examinations and new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that her conditions began during active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examination reports and issues related to his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his sleep disability and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and adjudication due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decisions. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities are being examined again, and his entitlement to TDIU is also being addressed.