Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to an in-service injury or event, and thus grants service connection for a low back strain.

The Veteran's back disability is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service and granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, and bilateral pes planus; and a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right ankle osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities has been established, allowing him to receive special monthly pension.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incorrect correspondence addresses, and requests that all relevant records be obtained. The Veteran's psychiatric, respiratory, skin, and joint conditions are being evaluated for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his in-service injury and did not find any aggravation of a pre-existing condition during periods of service. Therefore, service connection for this disability was denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorders, including his diagnosed scoliosis. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional VA treatment records and to determine whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his service connection claim for a back disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may be impacted by the outcome of these other claims.

The Board has ordered additional development of the record to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The remand includes obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and seeking VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating the claims file with any relevant VA or private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues related to his bilateral pes planus. The Board found that the ankle, knee and leg, hip, lumbar spondylosis, right shoulder strain, and left shoulder disabilities are not linked to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU were denied. The case was remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a back or left knee disability caused by his service, and denied both claims.

The RO reduced the Veteran's evaluations for coronary artery disease and lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, both of which were previously rated at higher levels. The reduction was granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is REMANDED due to a lack of recent VA examination and treatment records, as well as potential need for additional rating assignments.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 23, 2012. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective March 20, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of her symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for thoracic and lumbar degenerative disc disease is pending.