Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination of his lumbar spine osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it does not result in actual limitation of motion or function loss due to pain.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The claim for a back disability secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disability will require further development as outlined in the remand instructions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim can be fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU related to his service-connected cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for clarification of medical findings, additional VA treatment records, and consideration of referral for extraschedular ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and the obtaining of additional medical records.

The Veteran's low back disability was not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, and his left lumbosacral radiculopathy is not manifested by more than mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. Therefore, the increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease and left lumbosacral radiculopathy are denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and sciatica with radiculitis are related to his military service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board found that the December 1968 rating decision denying service connection for malformation of the lumbosacral spine is final. The evidence received since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, and thus the claim was denied on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct a VA examination for his left ankle and right tibia and fibula disabilities, and provide an opinion on the etiology of his lower back disorder. The case will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining workers' compensation records from Alaska and California.

The Board found that the Veteran's left eye disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied her claim for service connection. The low back disability issue is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and due process concerns, including obtaining VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of his left knee disability and the severity of neurological abnormalities associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss, service connection for low back disorder, and service connection for bilateral knee disorder have been denied due to his failure to cooperate with the VA by failing to report for scheduled examinations.

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

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development to determine if the Veteran's current back disability is related to his military service, specifically a 1958 injury in Fort Hood, Texas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a lumbar spine disorder, sinusitis, residuals of right or left ankle sprains, or onychomycosis. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's residual right groin scar is currently assigned a 10 percent evaluation, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability. The Veteran's lower back disorder claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was granted, with a current rating of 10 percent.