Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension and back disorder claims were granted, while his dental disorder claim was denied. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (hypertension) and others not (dental disorder). Service connection for the dental condition was decided on the merits.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed back disability, including degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, is related to his military service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine if service connection is warranted for bilateral knee disorder, low back disorder, seizure disorder, and headaches.

The Veteran's hypertension, back condition, and right leg condition are all found to be related to his honorable period of active duty service. The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her claims. Her cervical spine, lumbar spine, left hip disabilities, and IBS are all under review.

The Veteran's myofascial syndrome of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's right clavicular fracture is rated at 10 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent from December 1, 2006 to June 11, 2007. Since then, the disability has been rated at 40 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective from June 11, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as an orthopedic/neurologic examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and a lumbar spine disorder. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining records from military treatment facilities and clarifying her status as a dependent. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 9, 2012 at St. Vincents Medical Center Southside were not reimbursable because the services were not authorized in advance by VA and there was no emergency requiring immediate attention.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent since June 30, 2014. The rating for the left lumbar sensory radiculopathy remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection cannot be granted. The low back disability claim is remanded to provide an SOC.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and issuing a statement of the case for the increased rating claim. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and lumbar strain service connection claims are also being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as spondylosis and degenerative disk disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The evidence did not establish a link between his current condition and any incident during service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability that he contends is related to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA treatment records, is necessary before the claim can be decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, eye disability (undiagnosed illness), sleep apnea (undiagnosed illness), chronic fatigue syndrome (undiagnosed illness), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal was also denied regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a right foot disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for hypercholesterolemia is denied as it does not constitute a compensable disability. Service connection for left leg edema is remanded. For the lumbar spine disability, the Veteran's condition warrants no more than a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's mechanical lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms. The right shoulder condition and follicular eczema are both currently rated appropriately.