Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the right ankle disability and did not address service connection issues due to lack of merit.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU rating, and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine condition has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military sexual trauma. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or immediately following military service and the current condition is more likely due to a post-service injury. The claims for head and hip disabilities are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verifying his periods of active duty and Army Reserve service, obtaining relevant VA treatment records, and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to evidence of worsening symptoms and a need for additional VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his lower back disability, chronic headache disorder, and fatigue-related symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case on his service connection claim for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and because he missed his scheduled videoconference hearing. His initial compensable rating claim for asbestosis with pleural plaques remains under review.

The Board found no direct service connection for the Veteran's back disability and denied secondary service connection as well. The evidence did not support a link between her in-service fall and current back conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a travel board hearing scheduled on September 13, 2016. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis. The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ankle, low back, upper back (neck), TBI residuals, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are not established as service-connected.

The Board found no in-service injury to the Veteran's ankles and denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disability. The low back strain issue remains pending as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations and the need for additional examination and opinion regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as a new VA examination to assess any current respiratory disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The issues include service connection claims, a temporary total evaluation claim, and a reopening of a psychiatric disability claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Multiple Personality Disorder), alcohol abuse, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition. The decision is mixed as some issues have been granted while others were not.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a VA examination and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.