Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran does not have service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorder, or low back disorder as his claims are denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it, finding new and material evidence to support the claim. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injury and continued pain since service are considered credible.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbar spine and pelvic disabilities were granted, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a 40 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2010 VA examination and the need for an opinion regarding his employability.

The Veteran's chronic low back sprain is not productive of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months, and therefore, his claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for this condition has been denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability, which he contends first manifested in service after a physical altercation. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his currently diagnosed back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and for obtaining additional information from the appellant.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's low back disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective March 1, 2008, was proper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that he did not meet the criteria for such a change in his disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but the Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU is remanded as it requires assignment of a disability rating first.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient reasons and bases in the August 2011 decision denying service connection for a back disorder. The Veteran's lay statements, as well as those of his wife and friend, were not adequately explained by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability related to active service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims have been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's lower back disorder, chronic rhinitis, trigeminal neuralgia, ear disorder (otitis), and respiratory disorder (asthma) are not service-connected.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 40 percent prior to October 11, 2011 and increased to 60 percent thereafter. The appeal is for an increase in rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left ankle, low back, and knee disabilities were not found to meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability and coccyx disability, finding that the current schedular criteria adequately reflected his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbosacral strain, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and knee disorders are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any chronic or persistent disability in these areas during or immediately following service.