Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his chronic lumbosacral strain and whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service. Additional treatment records should also be obtained.

The Veteran's back condition is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service and the current disability did not manifest within one year after separation from service. There is also no competent medical evidence linking his current back disability to military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for tinnitus, a low back disorder, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's National Guard records, SSA records, and private treatment records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed left knee disorder, including any residual scar. This case will then be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to October 19, 2005, and thus denied an earlier effective date for his TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including COPD, lumbar spondylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, varicose veins, and weakness in the legs, were denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded to allow for consideration of an extraschedular rating due to the severity of his symptoms, which have significantly impacted his employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of service connection for left knee and left foot disorders are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to her service or any service-connected conditions. The claims for these disabilities have therefore been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back pain with spondylolisthesis at L4-5. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also being considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbar stenosis was denied as there were no claims filed between the September 2006 denial and the May 2008 claim, making May 22, 2008 the appropriate effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records. The issues of TTD evaluations following the September 2008 back surgery, service connection for shortness of breath, dizziness, and trigeminal neuralgia, and reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for a heart condition are all part of this appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and a lumbar spine disability, both found to be proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability did not manifest in service and is not otherwise related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and TDIU was granted, effective November 11, 1999, based on evidence of increased disability prior to the date of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, with the exception of normal hearing bilaterally. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the threshold minimum requirements of VA regulations to establish a ratable hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's chronic low back disability and bilateral pes planus have been granted service connection, effective April 17, 2009.