Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and personnel information related to the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether the appellant's low back disorder is related to her period of ACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's back disorder has been productive of limitation of flexion to 30 degrees throughout the appeal, warranting a 40 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on all of his listed conditions was denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right shoulder strain, chronic right knee strain and degenerative joint disease, chronic bilateral hip strain, and chronic lumbar spine strain with right L5 radiculitis strain on a secondary basis to his service-connected left foot disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and arthritis did not have their onset in service, nor are they related to any in-service injury or event. The claim for direct service connection was denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, which he claims is secondary to his sarcoidosis. The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected low back disability did not warrant a higher initial rating, and he failed to establish service connection for his left shoulder or right shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of her chronic low back strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and considering any new evidence added since the last statement of the case. The AOJ should also obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether there are neurological manifestations such as headaches.

The Veteran's lumbar strain status post laminectomy and associated radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities have been granted increased evaluations.

The case is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further review, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for a VA audiology and psychiatric examination. The claims will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The low back disability is denied due to lack of medical nexus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, considering his education and occupational background.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding service connection and causation of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of February 17, 2007, but no earlier. The decision is based on the evidence showing that he had more than marginal employment until February 16, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate response in the addendum opinion, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability will be reviewed again with additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his military service.