Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of a left leg brace and right prosthetic leg or wheelchair. The Board has awarded specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for a low back disability was improper and restored the original grant.

The Board found that the Veteran's left leg disability, to include her left knee, did not originate in service or within a year of service and is not otherwise etiologically related to her active service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not currently diagnosed. The Board finds that the evidence does not support service connection for her thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, or right shoulder disorders as secondary to her service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, records review, and clarification of certain issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a new examination for his back disability and headaches. The issues of service connection for migraine headaches, PTSD, and TDIU are all being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO so that he can have a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at his local VA office.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for low back, head, and neck disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to insufficient examination findings and additional development is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that new evidence did not establish a current disability or link it to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for TDIU. The evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and retrieval of VA outpatient records. The issues include claims for higher ratings for service-connected right shoulder tendonitis/bursitis, cervical strain, and dorsolumbar strain, as well as an issue regarding special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected lumbar and cervical spine conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of her conditions, including consideration of flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted higher ratings, but the rating for his spine remains at 20 percent. The Veteran is still denied separate ratings for his lower extremities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for service connection for left leg pains and numbness was previously denied in July 1988 and has not been reopened. Service connection for cervical and right leg disorders are also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent effective from May 2013, with symptoms including pain and limited range of motion. The right ear disorder issue was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination to address his respiratory distress and chemical sensitivity.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 30, 2015 due to limited forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine and no other significant findings.