Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, as it was cumulative or redundant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of an increased evaluation for a lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination, and any outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to a recent stroke that has caused additional symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a left leg disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted an initial 50 percent rating. The low back disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of lumbar spine, syncope, meningioma, numbness of the head, numbness right upper extremity, numbness left upper extremity, and depression due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.,VA is required to provide a VA examination or medical opinion in regard to the Veteran's claimed conditions as part of its duty to assist.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new evidence submitted since the December 2008 rating decision. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bladder cancer, and hypothyroidism are also REMANDED as there is insufficient medical evidence on file to make a determination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peptic ulcer disease, back disability, and bilateral knee disability. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded two issues: left knee strain and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for SMC (o) and need for regular aid and attendance was granted. The Veteran has been in receipt of the correct payment for his combined disability rating since August 2005.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurogenic bladder condition was previously denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board has reopened the claim. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is also remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no direct evidence linking the Veteran’s current lower back conditions to his military service, and concluded that he did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee, lumbar spine, and psychiatric disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The VA is required to obtain relevant medical records, verify in-service stressors, and provide further examinations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee, thoracolumbar spine, and heart disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus and heart condition, but denied reopening of the claim for lumbar spine DJD and DDD with mechanical strain. The decision on the underlying merits of these claims will be decided de novo.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative joint disease, is due to a lifting injury in service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for low back disability and pemphigus vulgaris, but has remanded the cases of residuals of a right ankle sprain and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance from another person, warranting SMC at the aid and attendance rate. As this is a greater benefit than SMC on account of being housebound, his claim for SMC based on housebound status is dismissed.