Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The case is being remanded for additional development to obtain service treatment records and determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including low back, right shoulder, bilateral knees, and bilateral hip/pelvis.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities (secondary to the low back disability), and tinnitus. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active military service.,Tinnitus was found to be less likely as not due to service but more likely due to civilian noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, was manifested to a compensable degree within one year of his separation from service. Therefore, presumptive service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and scheduling a TBI examination to address the issue of whether his psychiatric disorders are related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of a current low back disability causally related to or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has determined that service connection for a degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine is granted, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and spina bifida occulta, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the current medical evidence.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for DJD of the low back was granted, and a separate compensable disability rating for post operative residuals of hemorrhoidectomies with anal stricture was also granted. The Board found that referral for an extraschedular rating was not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine disorder, left lower leg neuropathy, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and left foot disorder.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of chronic sinusitis and denied her claim for service connection. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for mechanical mid-low back pain is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain missing treatment records from Dr. Desai and an addendum to the February 2014 addendum, as well as notification for lay statements.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, but his disability picture warrants a higher rating due to additional functional loss from flare-ups and pain. The Board has granted an increased rating to 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 2, 1999.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has ordered additional development and remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder, and right hip disorders are related to service. The appeal is now REMANDED.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, and his right wrist scar does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and determining if additional evidence is available. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability.