Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar sprain with history of coccyx injury/fracture does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran may have additional disabilities related to his military service which need to be evaluated.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to address the claims of service connection for a lung disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disability. The case will be reviewed after all requested actions are completed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied, but he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision also found that the Veteran is likely unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision regarding the Veteran's claims. Specifically, clarification is sought as to whether the Veteran wishes to pursue the issue of bilateral hearing loss and if so, whether she desires a hearing on this issue. Additionally, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and any outstanding VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected residuals of right ankle sprain and obtaining any outstanding treatment records. Additionally, the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability secondary to service-connected residuals of right ankle sprain must be addressed in a statement of the case.

The Veteran asserts entitlement to an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his last day of work being January 19, 2006. The Board is remanding the case to obtain information regarding the Veteran's last paycheck and employment status.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale for a VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to work, and because of the need to obtain additional evidence including earnings history from Social Security.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The claim for respiratory disability remains denied as new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, or bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service-connected disabilities. His hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service or any incident therein. The Veteran's left leg being shorter than the right leg is related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, an addendum opinion from a VA examiner, and consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder, which he claims is related to his active duty service as a cook. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to the need for VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current low back condition and his military service.

The Veteran's lower back disorder and CTS are related to service, but his costochondritis does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses was denied because the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency services, and prior authorization from VA was not obtained.