Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's current diagnosed arthritis of the low back was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in such service.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge, either at the RO or via video-conference.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their relationship to any bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent disabling from May 27, 2011. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects her disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant or specially adapted housing.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's current service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). However, due to his PTSD symptoms and unsuccessful attempts at employment, he may be eligible for TDIU under extra-schedular considerations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an inadequate VA opinion. The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a medical examination to address his claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and opinions to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic respiratory disability, low back disability, sinusitis, and a cerebral concussion or TBI. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the pending claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his period of service, including treatment for low back pain during service. The evidence does not show a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, radiculopathy, sciatic and femoral nerves of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy, sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's osteonecrosis, right femoral head, with acetabular fracture and hip osteoarthritis, status post surgical repair is currently rated at 50 percent effective May 11, 2011. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with bilateral L4 sciatic nerve involvement is currently rated at 20 percent effective May 11, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient examinations and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing on the issues of payment of VA compensation benefits, service connection for a cervical spine disability, and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran is also requested to provide any additional evidence or argument on his claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and low back disorder claims are being remanded for additional development, including consideration of herbicide exposure allegations and a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective from August 21, 2006. The nasal fracture residuals are rated at 10 percent.