Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed back condition and peripheral neuropathy. The claims will be re-adjudicated after this development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine mild degenerative disk disease at L4-L5 is not related to his service, and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of updated VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back condition is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of chronic bronchitis as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis was also addressed, but no decision was made due to a lack of evidence on this specific issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders are not related to his service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, and ischemic heart disease were denied. The claim for service connection for PTSD was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service or presumptively presumed under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions in response to the August 2014 remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to clarify whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are caused or made worse by his service-connected lumbosacral strain with disc bulge.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by active service. The issues of bilateral hip replacements and knee disabilities are still pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be at least as likely as not caused by service and/or a service-connected disability. The low back strain has been rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder was granted, and the effective date for this grant is set at August 2, 2013. The claim for an earlier effective date for hypertension was also granted, with the effective date being May 14, 2008.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from October 25, 2004, forward. The initial rating appeals for the back disability and associated lower extremity neuropathies are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his low back disability was denied. The claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as to the low back disability and left leg disorder issues due to his death. The TDIU issue is REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence added to the record without a waiver of AOJ consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine whether Schmorl's node constitutes a congenital or developmental defect or disease that is related to the Veteran's current low back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back and right ankle disorders, which are secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. Additional records will be obtained and a new opinion will be provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including DJD of the lumbar spine, residuals of a right ankle injury, and residuals of a right knee injury, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against referral for extraschedular consideration.