Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for onychomycosis bilateral great toes was granted. However, his attempt to reopen his low back disability claim was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a combined effects opinion on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied across multiple conditions, with the Board finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's lumbar disc disease and left leg radiculopathy have been granted service connection.,Left leg radiculopathy is found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar disc disease.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability was granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective December 10, 2010.,An earlier effective date for the award of a 40 percent rating for the service-connected spine disability is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 11, 2011. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of his hearing notice, and he has not appeared for the scheduled videoconference hearing.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease. The Board finds that further development is needed before the claim may be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 10 percent or higher for his lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative changes is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further evidentiary development due to the Veteran's complaints of worsening back pain and decreased range of motion. A VA examination is required, and SSA records must be obtained.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities. This includes obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is etiologically related to service, and thus granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The knee issues remain pending as a new examination is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence, including clinical records from Fort Jackson and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's residuals of a low back injury, strain and sacroiliitis have been rated at 20 percent since January 1, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability and associated neurological manifestations. The Veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected low back condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability was not incurred or aggravated during his active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection is thus denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received, including a diagnosis of liver cancer.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for bilateral knee, hip, back disabilities, diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Veteran's current conditions are presumed unrelated to his military service.