Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for any of the claimed conditions and thus denied her claims.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritis (DDD) of the lumbar spine is currently rated as 20 percent for the period prior to June 9, 2008 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted under any circumstances.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for new examinations and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal for SMC based on aid and attendance. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted as it relates to his service-connected pain disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, residuals of removal of metal from the right eye, COPD; and entitlement to a higher initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board found no evidence of a lumbar spine injury or disability during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a nexus between his current lumbar spine disability and service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for migraine headaches and chronic lumbar strain with intermittent right leg paresthesias, as well as his claim for a TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating effective July 6, 2010. His neurological manifestations of the left lower extremity were also granted an increased initial rating to 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not linked to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 24, 2004 for a grant of TDIU was granted. The earliest date of receipt for the informal claim is March 26, 2001.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a back disability, including lumbar IVDS, T12 compression fracture, and wedge fractures of L2 and L4. The evidence received since the last final denial is considered new and material.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder disability, back disability, and right testicle disability. The TDIU claim is also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard records and securing a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not manifest in service or within the first post-service year, and it is not etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, is related to an injury in service. The Board has determined that the criteria for establishing service connection are met.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated as non-compensable, with no evidence of a compensable disability rating for the thoracic spine compression fractures. The Board denied both claims.