Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted, with an effective date of June 10, 2008. The case was remanded multiple times and the Veteran received increased ratings in December 2016.

The Board has ordered additional VA treatment records to be obtained, as the current ones are incomplete. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability following a July 1993 left total hip replacement is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to their death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they have become moot.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee disability, psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities as there are outstanding VA treatment records that need to be secured.

The Board has determined that further action is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU. The AOJ must review the newly received evidence, issue an SSOC, and provide the Veteran with a notification letter concerning his claim of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors. The conditions of interest include dental issues, hallux valgus of the feet, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right ankle condition, varicocele condition, low back condition, left knee condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headache condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, headache disability, hepatitis C, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and hypertension. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for spinal stenosis status-post lumbar laminectomy and PTSD due to incomplete records from SSA, VA medical records, and a need to obtain all relevant records. The Veteran's attorney pointed out that there are incomplete SSA records and recent VA medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to exposure to herbicide agents is denied as there is no credible evidence of such exposure. The Veteran's back disability and associated radiculopathy claims are remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability and an increased rating for a left ankle disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disorder, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient consideration of all evidence in the file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability has been reopened and is granted. The claims for an initial compensable rating for left lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right Achilles tendon injury, diverticulitis, and lumbar spine disability. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for an increased rating for a low back disability is dismissed.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted.,The issue of service connection for type two diabetes mellitus and the acquired psychiatric condition (previously claimed as bipolar disorder, depression, and cyclothymic disorder) is remanded for additional development.,The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder, GERD, and granted an effective date of May 6, 2013 for a 60% rating for Hepatitis C. The claims were otherwise denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's low back condition, including whether it is related to service or any other factors.

The Veteran's initial rating for his back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The effective date issue is also being remanded as there was no information in the Statement of the Case regarding this aspect.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence received since the last denial in March 1978. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional development of medical records.