Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, upper reflux syndrome secondary to PTSD, and erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD. The claims were not reopened due to the lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to a need for additional examinations and further development of his medical records.

The Veteran seeks a temporary total rating for convalescence following his December 23, 2008 lumbar disc surgery. The RO denied the claim as the surgery was not related to his service-connected back disorder but rather an inservice workplace injury or fall at home.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new examination to assess his lumbosacral spine disability and determine the nature and etiology of his claimed cervical and thoracic spine and right shoulder conditions.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, variously diagnosed as chronic lumbar sprain, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine. The Board also finds that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and an effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits remain in appellate status.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and PTSD, but denied service connection for low back strain, left knee disability, right knee disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD are related to his wartime experiences.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and additional review of his treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him helpless in the performance of activities of daily living and in protecting himself from everyday hazards, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen his previously denied claim. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's hypertension, atrial tachycardia, and chronic lumbar strain are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The other conditions have been evaluated as noncompensable or with a 10% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and assessment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for clarification from the VA examiner regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that his condition had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's back and neck disabilities were caused by his service-connected right knee disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, specifically asthma, GERD, a lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, schedule appropriate examinations, and provide addendum opinions as requested.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck, low back, and bilateral leg disorders are not related to service. The evidence does not show a nexus between these conditions and any incident in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar strain, maintaining the current 20 percent disability rating.