Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including issuance of a Statement of the Case and consideration of additional evidence. The lumbar spine claim will be reviewed by a VA examiner to determine if it was caused or aggravated by service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted. Service connection was established for migraine headaches, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and low back disability. The Veteran received a 100% rating for her left knee patellofemoral syndrome effective from April 6, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his back disability and left lumbar radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current back disability, including whether it is related to service or other factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hip disorders are not related to his military service.,The Board also found no evidence of a low back disorder within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his back condition and its relation to service. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current back pain or any diagnosed back problem during the appeal period is related to or had its onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, earlier effective date, and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether her service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records from DeKalb Medical and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and lumbar spine disability are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to his preexisting condition. The bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is also service-connected as it is proximately due to the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, verifying service periods, and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, is related to repetitive parachute jumps during military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service exposure to loud noise. The lower back issue remains pending and will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected lumbar strain was denied by the Board. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a hearing.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as her forward flexion did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not more nearly approximated limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, and no incapacitating episodes have occurred. The current rating adequately compensates for the Veteran's functional impairment.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including RLS, COPD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, low back disability, and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain necessary medical records and conduct appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 11, 2015 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to service, including considering his credible report of continuous symptoms since service. The case will be remanded for an addendum opinion from a medical examiner.