Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to December 1, 2010 was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability in service and concluded that the current condition is not related to any injury sustained during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating. For his low back disability, the Board noted that prior to October 24, 2014, the criteria for a higher rating were not met (10 percent), but beginning on that date, the criteria for a 40 percent rating were approximated. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also addressed and found to be granted.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatica of the right lower extremity and dismissed the earlier effective date claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a new VA examination for the Veteran's low back disability due to her failure to report for previous examinations. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for upper back and left elbow disabilities prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU benefits.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed low back disability, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), and penile lesions are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, low back disability, and sporadic seizures are all service-connected. The claim for a TDIU is granted effective from February 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to issue a Statement of the Case on several issues.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability, which the Board has determined requires additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for an examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) on the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle, shoulder, left knee, and back conditions are found to be related to service.,The Veteran's right knee condition is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of a current low back disorder related to service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma has been rated at 60 percent, and she meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service or his service-connected bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine and right hip disorders are not related to his service-connected right ankle disability, and thus denied both claims for secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.