Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her low back disorder and the current severity of her service-connected TAH with left salpingo-oophorectomy and partial right oophorectomy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations have been granted, with effective dates ranging from April 29, 2008 to May 13, 2009. The specific conditions include a left knee disorder, foot disorders (pes planus and hallux valgus), left eye disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), degenerative joint disease of the right knee, ankle tendinosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and shoulder rotator cuff tear.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues currently on appeal, including those related to PTSD, fracture of the left fifth metatarsal, lumbosacral strain, chronic left knee strain, and residuals of right knee gunshot wounds and scars.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is unable to make a determination on their merits due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal of these issues prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and thumb disabilities as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and examination regarding the Veteran's low back condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 20% prior to September 25, 2010, and 10% from that date for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine with low back pain/strain is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back condition and the current level of impairment related to his service-connected TBI.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The appellant's appeal is about his claim for service connection for a low back disability with an associated leg condition.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, subluxation of L4 (lumbar spine disability), right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis were all denied as they are not related to military service.,All conditions first manifested years after service and are unrelated to military service; none are caused or aggravated by service-connected hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

The Board found that the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was not caused by a delay in VA medical treatment, and denied his claims for service connection of residuals of injury to the back and wrists.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and denied his claim for service connection for hip complaints/degenerative disc disease of the hips.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, was found to warrant a rating of 20 percent prior to July 18, 2006. The effective date for this increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and right wrist CTS were granted, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a maximum schedular rating of 40 percent effective February 10, 2009. The right wrist CTS received a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent effective August 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The rating for the right fourth finger has been restored to 10 percent effective January 1, 2013, and a compensable rating for umbilical hernia has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease and stenosis, is at least as likely as not caused by his leg length discrepancy resulting from a service-connected right tibia fracture. As such, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to an in-service injury and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to inconsistencies in the August 2013 VA examination report and a need for further medical evaluation.