Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The cases of a back disability, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of low back strain, service connection for bilateral knee disability and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to failure to appear for VA examinations. A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back strain, nature and etiology of any diagnosed right and/or left knee disabilities, and whether any acquired psychiatric conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The low back and left brachial plexus conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to address lay observations and private treatment records. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is being evaluated again for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, as there are issues related to service connection that need clarification.

The Board has denied increased ratings for the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain and lower extremity radiculopathy. The case is being remanded to consider the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine is denied. His claim for a compensable disability rating for hypertension from August 20, 2010, is granted and he is assigned a 10% rating. The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right eye disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD, left-hand disorder, and back disorder are remanded due to incomplete development. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than May 30, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and denied increased ratings for various knee disabilities, left knee disability (impairment of knee due to instability), right hip disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims were not based on exposure to specific environmental factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and/or migraines, as well as a need for additional development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and missing private treatment records. The appellant's back disability claim is being reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar spine surgical scar associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine and herniated disc, status post spinal fusion is denied. The claims for service connection for right foot disorder and right ankle disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is etiologically related to his active duty service, and thus grants the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and left ankle lateral ligament laxity disabilities have been granted a compensable rating of 10 percent each.

An effective date of May 20, 1998 is granted for the addition of the Veteran's spouse, T.R.B., to his award of VA disability compensation.,An effective date of December 1, 2004 is granted for the removal of the Veteran's spouse, T.R.B., from his award of VA disability compensation.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are granted with an effective date of January 22, 2009. The effective dates for both benefits are contingent on the permanent total service-connected disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back and left hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's left foot disability is found to be aggravated by his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, back, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim for service connection for a disability of the thoracolumbar spine. However, due to errors in obtaining necessary records from SSA and the appellant's service personnel records, the case is being remanded.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is granted for posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol abuse disorder.,The claim for service connection for right facial Bell's Palsy is remanded.,The claim for service connection for cervical spine disability is remanded.