Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung damage, pes planus (flat foot), cataracts, and a spinal disability. The claim for alcoholism and drug abuse was not granted as a matter of law due to the prohibition on direct service connection after October 31, 1990.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claims, including preparation of a Statement of the Case for the issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for atopic dermatitis, keratosis pilaris. The AMC should contact the appellant to determine which issues she wishes to appeal and schedule VA examinations based on her clarification.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine condition is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disability, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing supplemental opinions from a VA examiner. The Veteran's claims of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability and arthritis of the shoulders are on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbosacral spine and tinea unguium were denied. The VA found that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding no credible medical evidence that the diagnosed degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was the result of an injury incurred during military service or due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability. The decision is final.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his low back disability was denied. The VA determined that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition, which includes limitation of motion and associated left-sided radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered in light of all pertinent evidence and legal authority.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, chronic lumbar strain with scoliosis at 10 percent for each knee, and the ratings are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot, left foot, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing current disability or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for low back syndrome was denied, and the issue of entitlement to a TDIU was also denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the service-connected low back syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations was withdrawn, and the Board dismissed the claims as there is no longer an active issue regarding the left shoulder mal-union fracture. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for residuals of a left elbow fracture and back strain with degenerative disc disease were not granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private chiropractor records and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral hip disorder are related to service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sinusitis is manifested by more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year with pressure, pain, headaches, nasal congestion, nose drainage, nasal sores, yellow and green discharge, foul breath, and two episodes requiring antibiotic use. Therefore, a 30 percent evaluation for sinusitis has been granted.

The Veteran's multilevel degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy have been rated at 20 percent since September 27, 2006. The Board found that his current disability does not warrant a higher rating as it has manifested by pain and limited motion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities and for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a travel Board hearing. The issues include service connection for various foot and knee conditions, as well as reopening of previously denied claims.