Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disorder due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination reports and the Veteran's request for a travel board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records, particularly regarding sick call logs and medical records from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The Veteran's unit assignment is unclear, and further inquiries are needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her service-connected right knee disorder and denied her claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder and low back disorder.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and assigned an initial rating of 30 percent effective December 13, 2001. The claim for bilateral shoulder disabilities was also granted with the same effective date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective November 30, 2005. The claim for service connection for tinnitus has an effective date of November 30, 2005. A TDIU rating was granted effective March 31, 2000.

The Veteran's lower back disability was granted service connection and rated at 20 percent effective December 19, 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses in his medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disability. The Veteran was exposed to combat-related stressors during his deployment in Saudi Arabia. His claims are granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. A 100% evaluation is assigned for CFS.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back disorder due to conflicting medical evidence. The case is being returned to the RO/AMC for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these claims, including obtaining VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed stomach muscle disability, neck and back disabilities, and right leg disability. The Veteran's service connection claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, neck disability, and residuals of concussion were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and granted it, finding that there is a continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lower back disability, claimed as lumbago, due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital is denied as the services were not rendered in an emergency situation and no VA facility was feasibly unavailable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 and degenerative disc disease, is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is etiologically related to his active service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional service treatment records, particularly from the Vietnam era. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.