Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The appeal will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected thoracic/lumbar levoscoliosis with spondylosis and degenerative disc space narrowing was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a back disorder. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right wrist scar, and right wrist arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease and Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity are being remanded due to new evidence suggesting a worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a Travel Board hearing as requested by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a back disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right upper thigh SFW was rated at 10%, the muscular residuals of the right posterior chest and scar as a residual of the right posterior chest were both rated at 10%, and the muscular residuals of the right (dominant) upper arm were rated at 10% effective May 8, 2007. The low back disorder was denied for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claims for initial compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted. The cervical spine disability claim was also denied as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for partial paralysis of the right leg and herniated disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical treatment was for a service-connected condition, but VA facilities were reasonably available and thus payment or reimbursement is denied.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a medical professional. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling. The Board has granted separate 10% ratings for right-sided and left-sided sciatica, both evaluated as neurological manifestations of the same underlying condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA opinion on his TDIU claim and consideration of other potentially applicable foot rating criteria. The right foot hallux valgus issue remains in appellate status.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and left knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is caused or aggravated by any of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, blindness in the right eye, migraine headaches, temporomandibular dysfunction, epiphora, and paralysis of the face.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disorder warrants a disability rating of 40 percent, effective from February 11, 2005. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether his pain-free forward flexion exceeded 30 degrees, but he does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.