Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease, is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to need for additional examinations and treatment records, as well as further consideration of DeLuca factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is service-connected, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor. The Board also found that there was not enough evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's arthritis of the knees and service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but both issues are REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and provide further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed foot, knee, and back disorders are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for low back strain with spondylolysis and service connection for a respiratory condition, to include asthma, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran is seeking a separate compensable rating for neurological symptoms associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board has remanded the case to obtain updated VA treatment records and conduct an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a flare-up examination, and ensuring all requested actions are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of cataracts has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim, but does not find that he currently has a heart disorder or any other disability related to service. His sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6847. His narcolepsy is rated at 40 percent and his degenerative disc disease with low back pain is also rated at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, lumbar spine disability (claimed as scoliosis), atrial fibrillation, AV node ablation, pacemaker/defibrillator dependence, heart murmur, and degeneration of the cervical spine do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The Board also found that there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder and its relationship to his military service. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for degenerative disc disease and an effective date prior to December 1, 2004, for the award of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete records from SSA and VA treatment centers.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a possible VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headache disorder. The issues on appeal are for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for entitlement to a TDIU will be deferred.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected low back spondylosis and spondylolisthesis, finding that there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome or ankylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has not been characterized by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, or incapacitating episodes having total duration of at least 6 weeks during a 12 month period. Therefore, the claim for increased rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to inadequate rationale and lack of compliance with prior remand directives regarding the etiology of any current back disability.