Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to his active duty service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or back disability, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The psychiatric disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. Service connection for hepatitis C was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination addressing the interplay between service-connected lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for left ankle strain is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal related to this issue.,The effective date of the 60 percent disability rating for service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine is set at July 12, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new hearing due to the Veteran's request. The issues of service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities are now before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a low back disability and a psychiatric disorder, both found to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied. The claim for an increased rating for the post-operative scar due to Morton's neuroma was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of his claimed residuals of a traumatic brain injury, lumbar spine disorder, and eye disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders, including consideration of his lay statements regarding in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability are being reviewed.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 60 percent since May 20, 2008. The Board found that the criteria for a 60 percent rating were met or approximated during this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disability and a chronic acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion from an appropriately qualified physician to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and right eye glaucoma are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability including arthritis that is related to service, and thus cannot be granted service connection for this condition.,Similarly, the Board has found no evidence of a current left knee disability including arthritis that can be attributed to service. The Veteran's current left knee disabilities are presumed to have developed post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right hip disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.