Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of higher ratings for spondylosis of the lumbar spine prior to August 19, 2010 and on and after August 19, 2010.

The Veteran claims service connection for multiple disabilities including bipolar disorder, a low back disability, and hepatitis C. The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records.,The Veteran claims service connection for a low back disability and residuals of a right arm fracture. The Board has also remanded these issues due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records.,The Veteran claims service connection for hepatitis C, which he alleges was caused by inoculations during active duty. The Board has also remanded this issue due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records.,The Veteran claims service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, which he alleges is related to his hepatitis C infection. The Board has also remanded this issue due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing because he was out of the country. He will be rescheduled for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation of 40 percent under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for DDD of the lumbar spine with right lower extremity radiculopathy effective from July 10, 2007 has been dismissed due to withdrawal.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has found that further development is needed, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his current level of disability. The claim will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left hip disorders. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further review due to issues related to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, including consideration of lay statements regarding left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and low back disorder due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations, and his claim will be readjudicated after all development.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records from Dr. C.T.C., specifically for September 2008, and to review all submitted evidence in connection with those records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining VA clinical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is pending.

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the December 2005 rating decision denying service connection for a disability of the lumbosacral spine. The claim of new and material evidence for the same condition was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and verify the nature of his Army Reserve service. He is also required to undergo a VA examination to address his claims under the theory of an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted a higher initial disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, effective December 19, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal to establish an earlier effective date for his service-connected low back disability is dismissed as a matter of law because the February 1996 decision granting service connection was not appealed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left wrist and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability and radiculopathy are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's request to reopen service connection for a low back disorder was received in June 2008, and the RO granted service connection on the merits with an effective date of June 6, 2008.