Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine if it is related to his active service or a period of Active Duty Training (ACTDUTRA). The claims for bilateral leg disability and left finger disability are also remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities and whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including verifying an alleged stressor and obtaining VA examinations to assess his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for low back disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a nexus between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back conditions, including thoracolumbar spine strain and degenerative disc disease, are not shown to be directly related to his military service. The STRs do not document any chronic back condition or injury in service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating was denied, and the RO granted a 40 percent disability rating effective April 5, 2011.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, thoracolumbar disorder, and cervical spine disorder have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had unremitting headache symptoms since service and currently has diagnosed migraine headaches related to service. For the thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders, the Board noted current diagnoses but was unable to provide a nexus opinion without resorting to speculation.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disorder. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to his in-service injury, and to provide a rationale for any opinion expressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Fayetteville VAMC and providing a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current low back disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder is not service-connected and denied his claim for a higher evaluation for residuals of spinal meningitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate examination and failure to account for relevant post-service medical records from the Miami VAMC.

The VA determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not manifest during service and is not related to his in-service injury, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The examiner found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right hip and low back disabilities, as well as the severity of his service-connected left knee and left hip disabilities. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected back disability, finding that his condition alone did not result in more than moderate impairment of his earning capacity.

The Veteran's claims for vision problems, basal cell carcinoma, left elbow disability, and digestive problems were denied as they are not service-connected. The Board found that the current conditions do not have a direct link to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted.