Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a back condition was denied. His claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 9, 2012, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, was also denied.

The Veteran's knee and back conditions have been evaluated, but the Board has determined that none of his claims are supported by sufficient evidence to warrant a grant of benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active duty and there is no evidence of a chronic condition since service. The VA opinions provided strong evidence against the claim.

The Veteran's low back disorder has been granted service connection. The left and right knee disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to November 24, 2014.,Left knee arthritis was rated at 10 percent from January 20, 2006 through April 30, 2010, with limitation of extension to minus 10 degrees. From November 24, 2014, the Veteran's left knee arthritis warrants a rating of 40 percent.,Right knee arthritis was rated at 10 percent from January 20, 2006 through April 30, 2010, with limitation of extension to minus 10 degrees. From November 24, 2014, the Veteran's right knee arthritis warrants a rating of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records related to a 1988 back injury and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case to provide a VA addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine caused or aggravated his neck disability. The appeal is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for asbestos exposure, a left knee disability, and the reopening of service connection for blurred vision, bronchitis, right tibial stress injury, and hearing loss of the right ear are dismissed.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disabilities he claims are the result of VA medical treatment, and he disputes that his disabilities were due to carelessness or negligence on the part of VA providers.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as for sinus condition, bilateral foot nail fungus, and eczema, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to assess the current severity of his PTSD, low back disability, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee synovitis.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed in order to make a decision on the Veteran's claims, including service connection for back, neck, and headache disabilities; initial rating for anxiety disorder; and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and inaccurate history in a previous VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his back disability is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as his representative withdrew the appeal for the two issues listed above.

The Veteran's PTSD is found as likely as not due to a verified in-service stressor of physical assault, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to comply with the duty to assist, including obtaining pertinent VA and private medical records, as well as Social Security Administration records. The Veteran should also be afforded examinations for his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, and pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the Veteran's right hip arthritis, gout of the bilateral toes and knees, and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been granted an increased rating to 20 percent, effective February 8, 1998.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals of an injury to the right arm and hand, a low back disability, or a right knee disability related to his military service. The VA examination did not support the Veteran's claims.