Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's left elbow disability is not related to his service-connected left knee disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at his local VA office.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and low back disabilities have been granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of right shoulder superior labral tear with partial supraspinatus tear and acromioclavicular joint arthritis, as well as lumbar spinal stenosis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral knee and low back disorders are etiologically related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea. The issues include a claim for service connection for low back strain and obstructive sleep apnea, with the latter potentially secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's back disability has been manifest by limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his range of motion is still within the limits required for a 40 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran also requested additional treatment records and was provided an opportunity to provide them.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. A VA examination will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at BMC on December 14, 2009 are eligible for reimbursement as the treatment was necessary due to a non-service-connected condition and other conditions did not preclude such treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine, finding that it is likely due to a significant injury sustained during active service. The claim for DDD of the lumbosacral spine remains pending as there was no Statement of the Case issued.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had been received. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, particularly from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice for a scheduled video conference hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling and notification of the hearing.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development on the underlying issues of service connection for various foot, back, leg, and knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, as his current disability does not appear to be related to an in-service injury or event. The examiner concluded that the current condition is more likely due to natural aging process rather than a 1973 motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his lumbar degenerative disc disease with scoliosis is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the presence of radiculopathy in both lower extremities. The issue of whether his service-connected disabilities combine to render him unemployable is also being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart disorder or back disorder that is related to service, and thus denied both claims.