Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for low back, right eye, and left eye disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis in service or within one year following discharge, and the most probative evidence is against a finding that the current back disability is related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability has been dismissed as the RO granted service connection in December 2012. The remaining claims of increased ratings for knee, wrist, PTSD and migraine headaches are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, records retrieval, and development of his Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits claim.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease resulted in forward flexion limited to 40 degrees, but without ankylosis or physician-prescribed bed rest. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for a schedular disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis and peripheral neuropathy are related to his service, with doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart disorder and finds no evidence of service connection for this condition. For his low back disorder, the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and found that it is related to his in-service injuries. The issues of effective dates, initial ratings, and service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back condition is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the current disability is not related to service or caused by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back disorder and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, meet the criteria for a TDIU as of September 17, 2012. The case is remanded to determine if all forms of employment are precluded due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected orthopedic manifestations of mechanical low back strain and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied. His claim for TDIU was also denied as there is no evidence that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the Supplemental Statement of the Case and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between service-connected disabilities and the Veteran's death from pancreatic cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, right ankle surgery residuals, and right hip disorder are not related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a left lower extremity disability, cervical spine disability, and variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylosis.