Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip disability and entitlement to TDIU, which constitutes a complete grant of the Veteran's claims. The issues of increased rating for back disability, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for TMJ syndrome, and service connection for left shoulder and left knee disabilities are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and adjudicative action. The claims include a request for an increased rating for duodenal ulcer, service connection for hiatal hernia secondary to PTSD, and service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's low back disorder, specifically lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, is found to have originated during his period of active military service. The left knee disability is also found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing. The case will be processed again with the scheduling of a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and cervical spine disorders are aggravated by his period of active duty service in Iraq. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and found that the Veteran does not have PTSD. The remaining claims to service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its associated complications, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and/or PTSD), have not been found to be related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examinations and records, as well as Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for cholesterol, short-term memory loss, diabetes mellitus, eligibility for a non-service connected pension, and TDIU. The claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to new evidence received since the April 2009 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further investigation is needed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The issue of service connection for a back disorder is remanded due to the need for proper development.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and assigned an initial rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of the grant of service connection. The Veteran's CAD is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board has been scheduled, but he failed to appear. The case is being remanded to reschedule his hearing at the RO.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective June 4, 2011, and her right hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective April 23, 2009.

The Board has denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claim.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a permanent loss of use of his right foot, and the Board finds that he is entitled to an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of his claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low-back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, annual leave reports from his employer, and a new VA examination. The claims will be reviewed after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected low back strain is on appeal. She also seeks service connection for left and right knee disorders that she contends are secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus and low back strain.,The Veteran claims service connection for a left knee disorder, which she asserts is related to her service-connected bilateral pes planus and low back strain. She also claims service connection for a right knee disorder, again asserting it is related to her service-connected bilateral pes planus and low back strain.,The Veteran seeks TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.