Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of each knee. The claim of service connection for a low back disability and the TDIU claim are remanded due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's low back disability, including ankylosing spondylitis and degenerative disc/joint disease of the lumbar spine, was granted a 40 percent rating effective March 1, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability was denied, but he was granted a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in permanent and total disability due to the loss of use of both lower extremities, blindness in both eyes with only light perception, or other conditions that would qualify him for specially adapted housing assistance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records, including SSA records. The issues of service connection for low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are inextricably intertwined with the current appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not service-connected and therefore, his claim for TDIU cannot be granted as there are no service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and compensation for residuals of lumbosacral strain with bilateral spondylolysis at L5 and lumbosacral spondylolisthesis was denied. The effective date can be no earlier than September 10, 1998.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbago, strain, and spasms, had its clinical onset during active duty service. Therefore, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant, through his authorized representative, has withdrawn it.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The TDIU issue is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar strain with myositis and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any current low back disability. The Veteran's service records indicate preexisting back pain, but also in-service complaints and diagnoses related to his back.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current knee, low back, and hip disabilities are not related to service or any service-connected conditions. The claims for these disabilities have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Appellant's May 16, 1963 accident resulted in disability sufficient to establish veteran status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and cervical degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability and back disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting back disability was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to a need for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.