Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the service connection for a low back disability, and as such, the Board dismisses this issue.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the VA Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of the Compensation and Pension Service to consider assignment of a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability on an extraschedular basis prior to September 22, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and obtaining updated medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records. The issues on appeal are related to his service-connected conditions and a new shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the lack of post-service clinical records and the need for additional examinations. The claims will be re-adjudicated after all requested information is provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated clinical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability is not service-connected as it did not start during his military service and there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, skin disorder of the hands, and residuals of a broken left hand as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to incomplete records and need for clarification regarding treatment continuity.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability is granted, effective as of the date of the April 2012 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if the knee brace prescribed for his service-connected right knee disability results in wear and tear to his clothing, which would qualify him for an annual VA clothing allowance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an updated assessment of his eligibility for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits, given changes in his employment status and combined evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral spine joint disease with spondylolisthesis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional records.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on January 2, 2013 was denied as the evidence did not meet the requirements for emergency treatment under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred at Providence Centralia Hospital is being remanded due to the lack of relevant records. The AOJ will obtain any missing treatment records and daily notes from November 19-20, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of service and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's claims for nonservice-connected pension benefits are on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred or aggravated in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated in service. The claims for right knee, right shoulder, hypertension, and skin condition were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and neurological disorders, render him unemployable. The Board finds that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine and upper extremity radiculopathy were rated based on their respective conditions, with the right and left upper extremities receiving separate ratings. The Veteran received increased ratings for his upper extremity radiculopathy from September 26, 2014.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the Veteran's current low back, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are more likely due to post-service repetitive traumas.