Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his traumatic brain injury, back disability, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine and lower extremity disabilities have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's service-connected back disability from 40% to 20% was proper, as the evidence showed improvement and did not meet criteria for more than a 20% disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are necessary to assess the Veteran's low back disability and right and left knee disabilities, as well as obtain all relevant VA treatment records. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at private facilities were denied as the treatment was not related to a service-connected disability and did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The claim for service connection of a neurological disorder secondary to his lumbar spine disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims regarding service connection for a back disorder and residuals of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his right hand disability on employment and clarifying the extent of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with appropriate examinations regarding his claimed bilateral ankle disorder, low back disorder, and left hand/wrist disorder. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence related to the Veteran's psychiatric disability and low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of needing aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits based on his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is found to have a factual need for aid and attendance due to his left shoulder disability, but he does not meet the criteria for housebound status.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a 10% disability evaluation for hypertension, a 20% disability evaluation for diabetes mellitus, and a 10% disability evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to March 16, 2010.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with early disc herniation and left lower extremity atrophy does not manifest unfavorable ankylosis or any neurological impairment related to his back, thus the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right knee is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and no higher. The evidence shows that the Veteran has flexion limited to 130 degrees with mild functional limitations.,The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and no higher. The evidence shows that the Veteran has forward flexion limited to 85 degrees, extension limited to 20 degrees, and minimal functional limitations.

The Board found no evidence of current syncope or low back disorder related to service, and denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and his claimed bilateral shoulder disorder. The VA will also schedule examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is proximately due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, head injury with migraines, or PTSD with depression.