Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disability is related to an in-service injury and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection due to a lack of nexus between his service and current disability. The Veteran's back disability is not causally or etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Board has granted a 40% rating for the Veteran's service-connected low back strain, effective November 6, 2014. The claim to increased rating is granted beyond this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the RO for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and adjudicating his TDIU claim. The case will be remanded if further development is needed or if benefits are not granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of DDD and myofascial pain syndrome of the lumbar spine were not incurred in service or related to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which included a total knee replacement, was rated at 30 percent. The right knee disability was found to be secondary to the service-connected left knee disability and granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD and back disability were also granted.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the January 2015 VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's neck condition was aggravated by his service-connected low back strain with degenerative disc disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his knee disabilities, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also found that the current lumbosacral disability was not caused by or a result of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than March 8, 2005 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is not warranted.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent, which corresponds to moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The evidence supports this rating as it indicates moderate symptoms including numbness, tingling, and pain in both legs.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and determine if there are any new or material issues related to his claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and finds that new evidence submitted by the Veteran is sufficient to establish that his current condition had onset during active service. The Board also finds that the Veteran's current low back disability may be attributed to his pre-existing spinal structure defect, not military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for migraines and a skin disability have been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for a low back disability and eye disability is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and SSA records. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. A new VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as whether they are related to his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for residuals of a compression fracture, T12 (claimed as a neck injury), and low back disorder. However, these claims are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's request to reschedule his August 1, 2014 hearing at the local RO has not been fulfilled. The case is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and employment records. The Veteran's eye disorder and left upper extremity disorder will also be examined to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, including those related to back surgery. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Denver, Colorado RO for a videoconference hearing and further development. The issues include increased rating for PTSD, non-compensable rating for headaches, and service connection for back disability.