Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the provision of relevant medical records. The issues regarding his right shoulder, lumbar spine, and left heel spur are not yet resolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The appeal regarding the lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder sprain, left ankle sprain, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches is pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to her military service, and therefore denies all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck injury and headaches did not have their onset in service or within a year of discharge, and there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to military service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between any diagnosed psychiatric disorder and military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities were not incurred during active service, including periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (mood disorder, lumbosacral strain, migraines, hepatitis C, right and left foot bunions, and pes planus) do not prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's back condition is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) documents, USPS records, and a supplemental statement of the case on his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's low back disability has not been shown to warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 18, 2009. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on the degree of flexion or range of motion.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including any associated objective neurologic abnormalities. The appeal is remanded to allow for this assessment.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, increased rating for left knee disability, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The claim is currently in a pending status.

The Board has remanded this case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. E.S.K.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining STRs and SSA records, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a supplementary medical opinion regarding the use of Methadone prescribed by VA to treat the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck injury and headaches did not have their onset in service or within a year of discharge, and there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to military service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between any diagnosed psychiatric disorder and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and providing the Veteran's appointed representative an opportunity to review her claims folder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of lumbar spondylosis was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board has found in favor of the Veteran's claim for service connection, finding that credible evidence links his current lumbar spine disability to his military service, including diving. The Veteran's statements and testimony from his wife are considered along with medical opinions to support this conclusion.