Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's disc disease of the lumbar spine is found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral sacroiliac strain. The claim for a psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen claims for low back disability, residuals of head injury (other than headaches), right leg disability, sinusitis, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, cardiovascular disability, diabetic retinopathy, throat disability, and PTSD. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chronic coccydynia, or a hip disability that is related to his military service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a thoracic spine disorder. However, the preponderance of the probative evidence is against finding that the Veteran's current thoracic spine disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has vacated its previous decision and remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for low back disability, hypertension, and urethritis were denied. The Veteran was granted a temporary total rating for his low back disability from January 10, 2005 to April 30, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease is not attributable to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, but his unemployability due to these conditions is supported by medical evidence. The case is REMANDED for further action including obtaining Social Security and Workers' Compensation records, conducting a social and industrial survey, and considering an extraschedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 10 percent rating prior to January 26, 2009 and a 20 percent rating from that date. The right hip disability received a 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left wrist disability, skin disorder, and back disorder. The hearing loss, tinnitus, and left hip disorders were not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and retaining some type of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including another VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's flat feet and back disability. The claims will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf and obtaining his Navy reserve records. The PTSD claim will be adjudicated based on whether the claimed stressors are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted an initial rating of 40 percent effective March 1, 2007. The laceration scar of the right elbow remains at a non-compensable evaluation.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including a VA examination and medical opinion, is needed to resolve the claim.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia. The claim for tonsillitis was also denied. Service connection for a back disorder was not established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and a VA examination is needed to assess the impact of these conditions on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and a need for medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a clarifying VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any umbilical hernia, as well as to determine if service connection for an umbilical hernia should be granted.