Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board hearing at his local VA office.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 20 percent effective February 9, 2012. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted as of January 12, 2011.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent effective April 4, 2011. The rating is for the period from May 12, 2005 to April 4, 2011 and in excess of 20 percent beginning April 4, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of evidence, including determining precise dates of active duty training and inactive duty training. The appellant's claims for service connection remain pending.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his military service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The VA has determined that these ratings do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for any pertinent medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, as his hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service. The low back disability is also not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the review of additional evidence, including Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and L4-5 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disorder, including obtaining private treatment records from his physicians and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and examinations to determine the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for traumatic changes of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to additional evidence submitted and the need for updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral leg numbness are service-connected, with the cervical spine disorder not being service-connected.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 with left sacroiliac joint dysfunction results in moderate limitation of motion, warranting a 20% rating.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his low back disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted, with the effective dates being May 30, 2007, and May 20, 2008 respectively for the left lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for disabilities of the right hip, lumbar spine, and right knee due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal prior to the Board issuing a final decision.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 60 percent effective October 26, 2012. His sciatica of both lower extremities is also rated at 100 percent effective that date.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the Board found that a higher rating for her chronic lumbar strain, coccydynia, left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, thoracic neuritis, and eczema conditions were not warranted.