Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and earlier effective date, finding no evidence of a current disability in most cases or no causal link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, neck disability, and back disability are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his Reserve service status and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim. The AOJ will arrange for new examinations and obtain expert opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 20 percent prior to October 3, 2007 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. Separate ratings of 10 percent were assigned for radiculopathy in the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to inadequate VA examinations, additional evidence submitted by the Veteran, and issues related to TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective October 5, 2005. The rating for the right and left upper extremity radiculopathy was also granted but not in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or permanently worsened by the Veteran's service-connected left knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, GERD with Schatzki's ring and hiatal hernia, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's low back disability was incurred during active service, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as headaches. The initial ratings for lumbar spine and bilateral eye disabilities are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses of hypertension and arthritis of the lumbar spine are found to be related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for vertigo and granted it. The claims of service connection for a back disability, otitis media, and total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them at his hearing. Posttraumatic stress disorder with dysthymia is found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased ratings for various knee conditions, arthritis, and Bell's palsy. Additionally, the Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hammer toe, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, left ankle arthritis, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and hepatitis C. The appeal is being remanded to allow for a new hearing before a different Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional examinations and opinions to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a head injury, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a low back disability.

The Veteran's low back disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to June 1, 2008. The RO granted a 20 percent rating effective from June 1, 2008.

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back disorders, including scoliosis and degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine and sciatic nerve disabilities are related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disability, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's posttraumatic Achilles tendinitis of the left ankle is currently rated at 20 percent.