Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in this case, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to address the appellant's claims for service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the lumbar spine disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating prior to July 31, 2014, but did meet criteria for a 20 percent rating beginning July 31, 2014. Ratings in excess of those assigned were not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his National Guard service and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective September 1, 2009. The Veteran previously had a 10 percent rating from June 29, 2006.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder. The August 2009 rating decision denying service connection is considered final, and no additional evidence was submitted within one year of this decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy is causally related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD, right knee degenerative joint disease with scar, left knee injury with instability and scar, and left knee degenerative joint disease status post surgical repair have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted, but the increased evaluations requested are denied. The Veteran is not entitled to TDIU prior to May 9, 2014.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, skin cancer due to sun exposure, and erectile dysfunction (ED), all secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA medical records and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to consider the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's low back disability, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating from May 11, 2004 to September 13, 2005 and from September 14, 2005 forward. The erectile dysfunction is service-connected as secondary to his low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disorder is not related to service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his right knee, lumbar spine, and post umbilical hernia scar disabilities. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the rating issues.

The Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disability is granted as incurred in service.,The Veteran's psoriasis is granted as incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to his financial constraints. The issues of an increased rating for degenerative disc disease and TDIU are still pending.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain is found to be incurred in service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability other than chronic lumbar strain and for a right knee disability are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the claim on the merits. The evidence does not establish a causal relationship between the current diagnosis and active service or any service-connected disability.