Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea with fatigue, right knee arthritis, left hip arthritis, lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and cervical spine degenerative disc disease were granted. The effective dates for the right knee and left hip conditions are set at April 14, 2010, while those for the lumbosacral spine and cervical spine conditions are set at August 20, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's lumbar spine facet arthropathy, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the claims for service connection for tinnitus/ear ringing, mid and low back pain, left shoulder pain, right hip pain, and a heart condition prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO. The initial ratings and increased rating claims are not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating from 40 percent to 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was proper due to improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to disease or injury in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left tibia and fibula fracture did not result in any compensable limitation of motion or impairment, as he underwent below the knee amputation due to peripheral artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess his current severity of lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred or aggravated by his active military service and may not be presumed to have been.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial evaluations assigned for the disabilities granted by the February 2009 rating decision are not supported.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking in-service hospitalization records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disorder is not related to her service and denied her claim for service connection.

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

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective November 24, 2014. Prior to this date, the disability warranted a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no credible evidence to support his assertion of an in-service injury and concluding that any current lumbar spine disability is not related to service.