Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has found that the Veteran sustained low back injuries in service and had chronic symptoms of a low back disability during service. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for presumptive service connection for arthritis of the low back have been met.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar strain has been granted, with a 40 percent disability rating effective from January 25, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to address the severity and nature of his neurological deficits related to numbness and tingling in his legs.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and right knee disorder. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the evidence.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back strain is being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

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

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and lumbar spine arthritis prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, but she does not meet the criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The case is remanded to consider whether she meets the requirements for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current back disability is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bipolar disorder and degenerative disc disease with right lower extremity radiculitis (claimed as a back disorder) are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition in sound condition at entry into service, nor any increase in disability during service. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder. The appeal must be remanded to obtain legible copies of the Veteran's service treatment records, which may provide evidence relevant to his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities, left hip disability (left hip replacement), right knee disability (right knee replacement), low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing VA records and conducting medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling conflict for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claim of reopening his thoracolumbar spine disability and his bilateral knee disability are still pending.

The Board has determined that the September 2010 VA examination is inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims and a remand is required to obtain a supplemental opinion. Additionally, efforts are needed to obtain treatment records from Heartland Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with anxiety and depression is granted, while the TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his claim for service connection for a heart disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference Board hearing on his service connection claim for sleep apnea and increased rating claims for lumbar sprain and right knee patellar tendonitis.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.