Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to service. The Veteran will need a supplemental opinion from an examiner that considers all available records, including private treatment notes.

The Veteran's current low back symptoms have been attributed to his nonservice-connected disorders, and his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease has not been manifested by the required criteria for a higher disability rating, and therefore his claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's DDD of the low back resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, which meets the criteria for a 40 percent rating from September 1, 2006, to June 15, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability prior to April 7, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees or any incapacitating episodes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder did not develop during service and is not related to his military service. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 23, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from Fort Campbell and Camp Blanding. The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not entitled to an effective date prior to October 31, 1973 and denied his claim for a higher initial rating. The current 40 percent rating is maintained.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for osteoarthritis (other than the right ankle and cervical and lumbar spine) has been denied. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability remains pending, as does the claim for service connection for a digestive disorder, claimed as GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension began during service and is therefore granted service connection. The low back disability and epistaxis claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues currently on appeal, and as such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's deviated nasal septum, obstructive sleep apnea, left knee injury, low back disability (claimed as secondary to a left knee injury), right shoulder disability (claimed as right shoulder bursitis), and bilateral hearing loss are all service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide notice of a scheduled Board hearing. The issues are about service connection for neck and lumbosacral spondylosis, with an initial rating issue.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, arranging for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of these conditions, and considering all evidence in the decision.

The Board found no claim for service connection prior to February 23, 2005 and thus denied the earlier effective date claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his right shoulder and low back disabilities. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and SSA records.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus and denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hip disorders. The Veteran is now service-connected for pes planus.