Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's increased rating claims for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and lumbar strain have been denied as her disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The RO reduced the evaluation assigned to the Veteran's lumbar disc degeneration, status post laminectomy, L5, and discectomy, L5-S1, with right lower extremity radiculopathy from 40 percent to 10 percent without observing applicable law and regulations. The decision is void ab initio.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The primary issues are a higher initial rating for his back disability and service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in the disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is pending. The claim for extension of a temporary total disability rating beyond January 2011 due to convalescence following lumbar spine surgery in August 2010 is also pending and requires additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess her service-connected right hip disability and psychiatric condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the Veteran's remaining claims of service connection for right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and back disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions, as well as PTSD. The evidence received since previous decisions did not meet the criteria for reopening these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative changes, blurred vision, and sleep disturbances have been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are granted.

The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected low back disability has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of whether extraschedular considerations are warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left knee disorders due to insufficient evidence in their original file, including military personnel records. The case is being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain and left knee injury will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted it. The evidence submitted by the Veteran is sufficient to reopen the claim, as he provided testimony about an in-service injury that led to his current condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to the appellant's failure to report for VA examinations. The claims folder must be reviewed, additional evidence obtained, and a new examination conducted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent from March 31, 1997 to November 29, 1999 for his low back disability was denied by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of shrapnel wound to the head with damage to the right eye and a back disorder were denied, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the VA examiner's opinion and need for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent rating have not been demonstrated for any period.