Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain medical records, complete VA examinations, and ensure compliance with the VCAA. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, including recent treatment records. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA examination regarding his right hand disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation for his cervical spine injury with spondylosis, as well as lumbar strain, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if the upper back disability is related to service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine or other service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to an injury he sustained during service, and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hypertension and back disability.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine at L5-S1 is not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or IDS with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months. Therefore, his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service and no credible assertion of continuity of symptoms. The current low back disorder is more likely related to post-service on-the-job injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including clarification of the presence and nature of intervertebral disc syndrome related to his service-connected thoracic spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of a VA examiner's inconsistent statements regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new information provided by the examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the purpose of obtaining additional medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and ensuring that all development actions have been conducted in full. The case will then be readjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing appropriate notice to the Veteran regarding her psychiatric disorder service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's right wrist fusion residuals are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The appeal for increased ratings on other issues remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, and a right fifth metacarpal fracture are denied. Service connection is granted for hypertension.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for DDD and spondylosis of the cervical spine, as well as denial of service connection for a bilateral eye disability. The claim for hepatitis C is pending due to remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination for residuals of pneumonia, and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and denied his claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of arthritis or other lumbar spine disorders in service, and that any current lumbar spine disorder is not related to service.