Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from October 25, 2004, forward. The initial rating appeals for the back disability and associated lower extremity neuropathies are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his low back disability was denied. The claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as to the low back disability and left leg disorder issues due to his death. The TDIU issue is REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence added to the record without a waiver of AOJ consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine whether Schmorl's node constitutes a congenital or developmental defect or disease that is related to the Veteran's current low back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back and right ankle disorders, which are secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. Additional records will be obtained and a new opinion will be provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including DJD of the lumbar spine, residuals of a right ankle injury, and residuals of a right knee injury, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and a back disorder due to incomplete consideration of all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after the last SSOC, and because of the inextricably intertwined nature of the Veteran's back condition claim with his left leg condition claim.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is less than the schedular percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from June 29, 2011 through June 12, 2013 and from October 1, 2013. The rating was granted as the disability has been shown to be manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for the issues of service connection for a low back disorder, left knee condition, paralysis of the sciatic nerve, and substance abuse. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's chronic low back strain has been rated at 20 percent since March 2007, with no changes in rating during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining additional medical evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues related to service connection for end stage renal disease, hypertension, and a chronic back disability. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for venereal disease, asbestos exposure residuals, bilateral eye disability (macular degeneration), right knee disability, and back disability as the evidence did not show these conditions were present during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, but remanded for additional development as requested by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, particularly regarding his claimed psychiatric disorders, left foot disorder, cervical spine disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder.