Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings related to PTSD, TBI with chronic headaches, and lumbosacral strain. The Board finds that the withdrawal is valid.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for an automobile and adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, or special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and additional development of his TDIU claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability and remanded the case for further development. The claims for an increased rating for PTSD, TDIU rating, and VA treatment records are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his failure to appear for a VA examination and because there are outstanding treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a Social Security Administration decision. The Veteran will be afforded a VA examination to determine if his low back disorder is related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, but her low back condition is not.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 12, 2006, for additional compensation benefits for dependents is denied. The effective date has been set as October 12, 2006, the date he previously filed his claim for increase.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a hearing issue and will schedule a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain with DDD, right knee sprain, and left knee sprain were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU with a combined rating of 70 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and skin disorder of the feet. The evidence does not support an in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 70%, which meets the schedular criteria for TDIU. However, the evidence does not support a finding that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a low back disorder during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on the relationship between her service-connected low back strain and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or incident related to the Veteran's low back disability, and thus service connection cannot be established. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his low back disability has been denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to failure to provide an examination and address issues related to the appellant's whereabouts.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder was aggravated during his 2012 service, and to provide an opinion on this issue. The case will be returned for further development.