Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all claims on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete medical evidence and failure to follow all Board instructions. The case will be returned for a new VA examination with a retrospective and current medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding his claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, and a lumbar spine disability. As such, these appeals are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

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

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU based on service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate rationale in previous VA examinations and a new theory of entitlement (right knee disability).

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service.,Service connection was granted for left ear hearing loss as being caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records, scheduling VA examinations, and attempting to obtain outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend scheduled hearings and the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues on appeal include service connection, rating increases, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to scheduling issues with VA examinations in Spain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence and a request for a Travel Board hearing. The claims will be readjudicated by the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and removal of ingrown toenail from the left fifth toe are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran's remaining claims on appeal can be decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left shoulder disabilities. The case will be reconsidered in light of Correia v. McDonald.

The Veteran's lower back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. His left ear hearing loss and gastroesophageal disability are pending as additional evidence is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was granted an initial 10 percent rating prior to April 15, 2010. The issue of whether a higher rating is warranted for the entire appeal period remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are REMANDED as they are inextricably intertwined with the issue of increased rating for lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete development of the low back disorder issue. The respiratory disorder claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.