Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining STRs from Langley AFB and the Philippines. The claims for higher initial ratings are inextricably intertwined with the earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher evaluations of his service-connected mechanical low back pain was denied. The appeal is based on the evaluation from October 18, 1997 onwards.

The Board granted service connection for low back disability and assigned a 20% rating. Separate ratings of 10% were assigned for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service connected as secondary to his service-connected lumbar fusion.,Service connection for postoperative suprapubic hernia was granted with an effective date of October 23, 1987.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examination opinions and reviewing pending x-rays. The Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg and low back disorders will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and the possible existence of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, finding that it is caused by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and to schedule him for appropriate examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and for service connection for various undiagnosed illness-related conditions. The issues of new and material evidence were also addressed, but no new or additional evidence was provided to reopen the low back disorder claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in permanent and total disability that is due to the loss or loss of use of one or both lower extremities so as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. The Board grants entitlement to a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective April 16, 2007. The appeal for higher ratings on sciatica and left sciatic nerve involvement associated with this condition has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, upper reflux syndrome secondary to PTSD, and erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD. The claims were not reopened due to the lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to a need for additional examinations and further development of his medical records.

The Veteran seeks a temporary total rating for convalescence following his December 23, 2008 lumbar disc surgery. The RO denied the claim as the surgery was not related to his service-connected back disorder but rather an inservice workplace injury or fall at home.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new examination to assess his lumbosacral spine disability and determine the nature and etiology of his claimed cervical and thoracic spine and right shoulder conditions.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, variously diagnosed as chronic lumbar sprain, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine. The Board also finds that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and an effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits remain in appellate status.