Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's lumbar disability was evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on his current symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not warrant a higher rating prior to December 2, 2010. Since then, it has been rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and private records, a response from the Director of Compensation Service regarding extraschedular hearing loss rating, and an opinion on service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for neurological manifestations of his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the failure to attend a scheduled VA examination. The case will be reviewed to determine if any additional ratings are warranted.

The Board found no direct nexus between the Veteran's current low back disability and his military service, thus denying service connection for a low back disability. The other issues were not addressed as they are separate from the service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA, seeking authorization for certain medical records, and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and low back disability are related to service.

The Veteran meets the preliminary schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, but further development is needed as the VA physician assistant's statement alone does not offer enough information on whether he is unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional development, including obtaining any relevant healthcare provider records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury and found that new and material evidence had been submitted, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran has been found to have permanent and total disability due to the loss or loss of use of his lower extremities, which precludes locomotion without the aid of a wheelchair. Therefore, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's status post L4-5 and L5-S1 anterior interbody fusion with chronic low back pain. The claims for increased ratings for hypertension and coronary artery disease are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and pneumonia, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic cervical or lumbar spine disorder during service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities and the medication he must take for pain related to those conditions. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected disorders and their impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in the previous examination and opinion, requiring a clarification of the relationship between any current lumbar spine disability and the 1993 injury during active duty for training.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine and knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing. The issue of service connection for a back disability remains unresolved.