Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of December 10, 2006 for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete medical records, requiring a new VA examination for the Veteran's neck and back disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's low back disability was less likely as not caused by her period of active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and personnel information. The appeal will be reconsidered after these documents are obtained.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected. The claims for hypertension, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and bilateral hip disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective from June 26, 2012. His claims for bilateral hearing loss and TBI residuals were also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and need for further medical opinions regarding the etiology of any current low back disability and pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, to include sciatica, was incurred in active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disorder was not incurred in service and is not secondary to a right lower extremity condition. As such, service connection for a back disorder on either direct or secondary basis is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and opinions regarding his knee, hip, and low back disabilities. The case will be reviewed again after the additional development.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA spine examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's scoliosis existed prior to service and did not undergo an increase in severity during service. The additional back disabilities, including degenerative spondylosis with facet arthropathy and spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, were first shown many years after service and are not related to any in-service events.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding his employability despite having service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for an updated VA examination and consideration of factors such as education, work experience, and the impact of service-connected conditions on employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to or related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and assigned an initial rating of 10 percent effective from July 30, 2011.,An increased rating for the service-connected hearing loss is also granted, with a current rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative joint disease is rated at 40 percent effective July 25, 2006. The Board found that the disability warranted a higher rating based on its severity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including additional VA examinations and a Social and Industrial Survey to determine whether the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.