Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an inability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his claim to reopen his claims for hepatitis C and PTSD. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted in these cases.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain and low back condition, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis, concluding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the current disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder strain, and left shoulder strain first manifested during active service. The claims are therefore granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the issues of increased rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is related to the Veteran's in-service treatment for narcolepsy.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence. However, further examination is needed before the merits of the claim can be decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and earlier effective date, finding no evidence of a current disability in most cases or no causal link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, neck disability, and back disability are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his Reserve service status and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim. The AOJ will arrange for new examinations and obtain expert opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 20 percent prior to October 3, 2007 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. Separate ratings of 10 percent were assigned for radiculopathy in the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to inadequate VA examinations, additional evidence submitted by the Veteran, and issues related to TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective October 5, 2005. The rating for the right and left upper extremity radiculopathy was also granted but not in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or permanently worsened by the Veteran's service-connected left knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, GERD with Schatzki's ring and hiatal hernia, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's low back disability was incurred during active service, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as headaches. The initial ratings for lumbar spine and bilateral eye disabilities are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his active duty service.