Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral knee disorders, low back disorder, bilateral ankle disorders, bilateral foot disorders, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his service experiences and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's hallux valgus of the right foot is granted a 10 percent rating. The lumbar strain with intervertebral disc disease prior to August 4, 2015 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and a left knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left index finger laceration scar residuals was denied.,Service connection for a low back disability, sleep disturbance (proximately due to the low back disability), and chemical burns of both elbows, buttocks, and groin were granted. Service connection for a left knee disability was denied.,Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability may be related to service and is remanding for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an opinion on whether his current condition likely had its onset during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence, but has remanded the case for further development as an additional VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,There is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea in the Veteran's records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations in her original appeal. The case is being returned for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, rotator cuff tear, and impingement syndrome as well as low back degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, both of which are determined to be related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as incomplete medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, right knee, and lower back disabilities have been remanded for further development. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding her treatment records. The Veteran is required to identify any additional locations where she was treated in service, and VA must obtain those records.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral pain with degenerative changes is rated at 40 percent, but no higher.,TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial compensable disability rating for his disabilities was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that his current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbar disc disease was granted at a 40 percent level, effective May 6, 2011. A TDIU was also granted.

The Board has determined that there is a 50/50 chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's back disability began during or is otherwise related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular rating requirements for a TDIU and did not render him unemployable to warrant consideration of entitlement to this benefit alternatively on an extra-schedular basis prior to June 18, 2010.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disability is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for kidney cancer due to exposure to environmental toxins during military service.