Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service, and denied his claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability prior to June 21, 2015.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left knee disability is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's disabilities are related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders did not have their onset during active duty service or are related to such service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and for obtaining additional treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the April 2015 VA examiner regarding bedrest prescribed for her service-connected HNP with lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification from the appellant.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability (claimed as spondylolisthesis). This includes obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, particularly related to his urinary incontinence. A VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to newly submitted VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and increased rating remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation file. The Veteran is also asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 to provide relevant employment information.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a low back disability, but not for left and right hip disabilities.,There is no evidence of chronic disease during or within one year after service. The current hip disabilities are more likely related to post-service events.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and a low back disorder. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back and groin disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney disability did not preexist service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service. The Veteran's current back disability was not shown to have had its onset during active service, nor were symptoms of the condition chronic or continuous since service separation.

The Veteran's service-connected scoliosis of the lumbar and lower thoracic spine was granted a 40 percent rating effective January 6, 2015. This is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition under VA's General Rating Formula for Diseases or Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability, as his symptoms have reportedly worsened since the last examination in June 2013.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disorder and low back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, thoracolumbar strain, radiculopathy, and migraine headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met.