Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence, including nerve conduction studies from a private provider in 2008.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease, and status post ruptured disc L5, is the result of an injury incurred in service. The Veteran also has a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and a psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) that are related to his military service.

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

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate her service connection claims for migraine headaches and degenerative joint disease of the cervical and lumbar spine. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability, including any neurological disorders associated with it. The Veteran also reported worsening symptoms and difficulty performing daily tasks.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence. However, further examination is needed to determine if any current back disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examinations. The claims of service connection, increased rating, and TDIU will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including medical examinations to assess his low back disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including proper notice and updated clinical findings.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability and pulmonary disorder, but denied them on the merits. The psychiatric claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits were denied across multiple conditions and disabilities. The appeal is not about any presumptive exposure to Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, or other specific bases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected degenerative disc and joint disease of the spine. The claim for TDIU will also be developed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent effective December 26, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further development of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outdated evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's back disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during his active duty service and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing existing medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and he is granted increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity effective May 5, 2014. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbar spine and cervical fusion disabilities, as well as his right great toe disability. The Veteran was not granted any higher ratings.