Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition was denied.,His PTSD has been granted with an initial rating of 30 percent, effective from June 30, 2011. A subsequent increase to 50 percent was granted as of July 5, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records, as well as issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding his claims for service connection for tinnitus and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting back disorder was not aggravated by his military service, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Capital Regional Medical Center on September 6, 2012 is denied as the condition was not an emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded other issues including ratings for his back, right shoulder, and leg disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disabilities based on direct service connection. The Veteran now has a full grant of benefits sought.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for a statement of the case on several issues.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, manifested by arthritic changes around the AC joint, had its onset in service and is currently diagnosed. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but he is now granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

From January 20, 2012, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is manifested by pain, weakened movement, pain on movement, arthritis shown by x-ray findings, and forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less. The Board finds that a rating of 40 percent is warranted for this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a spine examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 50% rating for acquired flat foot, effective December 1, 2007. The issue of reopening his claim for service connection for lumbar potts disease is remanded to provide a Statement of the Case.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence has been received to support these claims. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and Epstein Barr Virus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, and spondylosis, was incurred during active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of his back condition, hypertension, and insomnia. The claims file must be updated with any VA treatment records since April 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and fibromyalgia are being remanded due to outstanding records from her military service and private healthcare providers.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease was rated at 10 percent prior to July 19, 2012. The right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease was also rated at 10 percent prior to November 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, including VA Vocational Rehabilitation folder/records.