Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is unrelated to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The low back disability issue remains pending as further development is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for shortening of the right leg and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are granted. The claim for an effective date prior to October 17, 2007 for a 10 percent evaluation for hearing loss in the right ear is denied. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hemidiaphragm elevation with restrictive lung disease and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent for the right lower extremity or 10 percent for the left lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative lumbar spine syndrome, myostatic thoracic syndrome and myotendinitic degenerative cervical syndrome. The Veteran's current back disability is considered to have developed during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck and low back disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board found that the evidence does not support service connection for a low back disability and denied the claim. The Veteran's current low back condition is considered to be due to his military service, but it was less likely caused by an in-service injury or event.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, arranging for a medical examination, and considering whether service connection can be granted for back disability and neurological disorder of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as it is unclear if the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, back, and heart disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service, and denied his claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability prior to June 21, 2015.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left knee disability is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's disabilities are related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders did not have their onset during active duty service or are related to such service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and for obtaining additional treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the April 2015 VA examiner regarding bedrest prescribed for her service-connected HNP with lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification from the appellant.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability (claimed as spondylolisthesis). This includes obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, particularly related to his urinary incontinence. A VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability.