Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.,Service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities (thoracolumbar spine, right knee, left knee, bilateral shoulder) is being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (depression) is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar back strain is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 5237. The Board finds that this evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his disability based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for depression and osteoarthritis of the right knee, as well as his claim for TDIU, are all granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his mood disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, left sided leg weakness, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to perform activities of daily living without regular aid and attendance from another person. His need for such assistance is due to his severe lower extremity weakness caused by his service-connected degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for thoracolumbar spine scoliosis, but a de novo review is needed to determine if his pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and PTSD are also being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability due to aggravation during active duty, and also found that the Veteran's right leg radiculopathy is related to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. The claim of right leg radiculopathy remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his back disability has been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective November 3, 2011. The rating has been granted for the orthopedic manifestations of the condition and separate ratings have been assigned for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on all the pending claims prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and bilateral knee disability are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is needed. The claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease will be adjudicated on a direct basis, and if there is a material change in the claim for increase for lumbar strain, it will also be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back, neck, left arm, right arm, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a comprehensive VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right hip disorder have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran while his appeal was pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his low back disability has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal in writing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for an adequate opinion regarding service connection on a secondary basis, specifically addressing whether the Veteran's low back disability is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected left ankle condition.