Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, bilateral knee disabilities, and back disability are found to be related to his active service. The Board grants the claims for these conditions.

The case is being remanded for further development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and to obtain any outstanding records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate his cervical and lumbar degenerative disc disease, as well as any associated neurological disorders. The claims for higher ratings for the spine conditions are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain with mild to minimal broad-based disc bulge at L4-5 and L5-S1 is being remanded due to the need for proper development of the record, including providing a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) considering all evidence since February 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and right arm disabilities are not related to her service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected and undiagnosed illness-related claims, including for various musculoskeletal issues, tinnitus, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal problems, and psychiatric conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and authorize VA access to private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its August 2014 decision, specifically regarding the adequacy of an August 2012 VA examination report.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for depression. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The VA determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to her service-connected knee disabilities and instead likely due to genetic predisposition and obesity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for additional medical records. The Veteran is requested to provide any relevant treatment records from the VA Health Care system.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for hypertension, service connection for residuals of a low back injury and erectile dysfunction, as well as his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his more recent VA treatment records and to provide him with a new VA examination for his lumbar spine and left clavicle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include increased ratings for his service-connected low back and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and severity of his service connected residuals from a lumbar strain and whether his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was caused or aggravated by this condition. The examiner should also address whether the Veteran's radiculopathy is secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder was granted. The claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease, left shoulder disorder, osteopenia/osteoporosis, patellar degenerative joint disease (bilateral knees), allergies, erectile dysfunction, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, tibial radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) were also granted. The claim for a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any back disorder and whether it is related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and left great toe disability. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to evaluate her bilateral knee disorder claim, and addressing the back disorder and headaches claims in conjunction with the bilateral knee disorder claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing addendum opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is required due to outstanding medical records and the need for a VA examination. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.