Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and a thoracolumbar spine disability to include arthritis, finding that the evidence did not establish a current disability or a link between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service, including his 1975 jeep accident and his service-connected bilateral knee disorders. The claim will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to outdated and inconsistent examination reports, requiring new examinations for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's spine conditions, specifically whether they are caused or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's disability rating for chronic lumbar strain was increased from 10% to 40%, effective September 18, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA SMP aid and attendance/housebound examination. The Veteran's need for aid and attendance or being housebound will be determined based on his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthralgia is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at the maximum schedular level of 50 percent, effective September 27, 2012. The right knee disability was also granted a higher evaluation to 20 percent effective October 2, 2012.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, securing his VA vocational rehabilitation file, and providing an advisory opinion from a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Division counselor regarding the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder, including arthritis, sciatica, and a back disability. The issue is now remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder had its onset during his combat service in Vietnam and is presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disability should be granted as service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with increased ratings for various disabilities and a TDIU. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria to establish entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, or bilateral leg disability. The April 2009 rating decision denying service connection for a heart disability is final.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral plantar fasciitis are also on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected osteoarthritis, left knee, and total left knee replacement. The low back disability claim remains pending as an addendum opinion is needed.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability to his active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral elbow, hand, knee, and back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of a low back disability, and the Board is dismissing the matter.