Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA examination reports and additional medical records. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and right hip disabilities will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder, to include degenerative joint disease, is not related to his service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of injury to the thoracic and lumbar spine, as well as her requests for initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for degenerative changes to C5-6, residuals of injury to the cervical spine, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical radiculopathy of the left arm. The Veteran's disabilities were found not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and ensure proper development of the claims.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with complaint of sciatic left lower extremity was rated at 20 percent prior to October 26, 2012. The rating for sciatica of the right lower extremity was also rated at 10 percent prior to October 26, 2012. Both conditions were increased to 40 percent and 10 percent respectively effective October 26, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back problems are not related to any injury he might have experienced during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the evidence and arguments presented.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder and whether it was caused or aggravated by his military service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's service-connected shrapnel wound of the left leg with residual scars is rated at 10 percent, effective from November 2007. The Veteran does not have a current disability of left ear hearing loss and has not been diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected left knee disability beginning on September 17, 2011. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder and left hip disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, bilateral leg disorder, and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and clarifying SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether his lumbar spine and left lower extremity disabilities were aggravated by his reserve service. If it is determined that these conditions were aggravated by his reserve service, he will also be scheduled for an examination to determine if a stomach disability is secondary to his lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 20 percent, but not higher.,There is no additional disability from an over-prescription of Xanax caused by VA medical care.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service, with the exception of DDD of the lumbar spine which resolved in-service.

The Veteran's service-connected right L5 radiculopathy and L4-L5 herniated disc with lumbosacral paravertebral myositis have been manifested by significant loss of motion but no ankylosis, either favorable or unfavorable. There is no evidence of incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, headaches, and neuropathy as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's STRs do not show any diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an inadequate factual basis in a previous examination and because the RO failed to obtain his report of medical history at separation. The case is now pending further development.