Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremities. His radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, sciatic nerve, associated with service-connected lumbar disc and degenerative joint disease, meets criteria for a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic and cutaneous nerves, does not meet criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing has been rescheduled due to his inability to attend the previous scheduled hearing. The case is now remanded to the RO for further review and scheduling of the hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar strain was granted, with a 20 percent evaluation effective October 14, 2008. The issue of service connection for a left leg disability (claimed as pain in the left leg) remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case and additional private medical records are needed for consideration.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is at least as likely as not incurred during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's military service.

The Board has remanded the claim due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners. The claim will be reviewed again with a new opinion focusing on the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder and its relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective April 16, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective November 3, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not show he was unemployable solely due to his service-connected disabilities prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, as well as radiculopathy of both lower extremities, were denied. The Veteran was assigned a maximum schedular rating (40%) for his back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his back disability and bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's back disability is now rated at 20 percent effective May 31, 2011. A separate evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The Veteran's bilateral wrist disability remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent effective October 30, 2008. The Board found that an earlier effective date of September 2, 2003 is warranted for the service-connected left sciatica.

The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident (stroke) is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to the need for additional evidence and a new opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability and associated neurologic involvement in the left lower extremity, effective from September 22, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing to address his claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, arthritis of hands and knees, and low back disorder. The evidence did not establish direct service connection as there was no in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's residuals of a projectile would, claimed as a low back shrapnel injury is the result of his military service and was granted. The initial compensable rating for hypertension claim remains pending.