Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to report for a scheduled videoconference hearing. Her initial rating claims for thoracolumbar strain and right ankle strain are still pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed arthritis of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or caused by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, varicose veins, bilateral foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and back disability have been denied. The Board has ordered a remand due to the Veteran not receiving proper notice of his scheduled videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, L3-4 and L4-5, with compression fracture of L4 vertebral body is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The issue of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or household status is being remanded due to outstanding records.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatic nerve pain, including as secondary to a low back disorder, will be reconsidered.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left inguinal hernia or low back disorder, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

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

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including verification of service and issuance of a statement of the case on the issues of service connection.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent effective as of March 27, 2007.

The Board found no evidence of a currently diagnosed bilateral ankle disorder, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, or low back degenerative changes that are related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, thoracic spine scoliosis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or pre-existing conditions being aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and procuring an addendum opinion from a VA physician to address whether the Veteran's back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and/or left hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) due to an inextricably intertwined matter of the Veteran's entitlement to an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records and any additional evidence pertinent to the TDIU claim, and then readjudicate the case.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a low back disability with associated sciatica, but new evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination and because he provided good cause for missing the appointment. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the spondylisthesis claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating were denied due to his failure, without good cause, to report for scheduled VA examinations.