Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been evaluated, but no compensable ratings were granted. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher initial ratings based on limitation of motion or additional functional loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability and right ankle disability due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiners. The Veteran's statements of having pain since service are not addressed in the current opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, render him unemployable. However, a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of his conditions and determine if he meets the percentage requirement for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and an appropriate VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his degenerative disk disease of the lumbosacral spine. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for low back disability is pending.

The Veteran's low back disability, including mild levoscoliosis and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and L3-L4, is found to have been incurred in service.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service incurrence or aggravation of the claimed cervical spine, back, left knee, and right knee disorders. The Veteran's current disabilities are not presumed due to service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the cause and aggravation of his low back strain and left leg radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for COPD, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and an ear disability are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding his employability and adjudicating the issue of entitlement to a higher disability rating for PTSD. The TDIU claim will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service if the schedular requirements are not met.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for mechanical lower back pain, to include degenerative disc disease. The Board also finds that this condition is secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee and bilateral pes planus disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral osteoarthritis with lumbar spinal stenosis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's back disability has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for right and left lower extremity peroneal nerve neuropathy, as well as an increased rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back disability is not related to his in-service injury and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability is determined to be due to an instance of fault on the part of VA, and thus meets the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since June 11, 2013. The maximum schedular rating for this condition has not yet been assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear information about the Veteran's disability status and requests for additional records. The claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of an extraschedular increased rating due to sleep impairment caused by the Veteran's service-connected spine disability.