Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right wrist or low back disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for service connection for bronchitis was also denied.

The Veteran's claims of increased disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities, as well as the associated TDIU claim and several reopened claims, were denied due to her failure without good cause to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during or as a result of his military service and thus, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further development, including a psychiatric opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. For the lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, a rating in excess of 10 percent was not granted prior to December 10, 2015, or on or after that date. For right lower extremity radiculopathy, a rating in excess of 20 percent was denied beginning March 28, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and reviewing the claims file to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate rationale in the March 2014 VA examination reports and insufficient reasons or bases provided by the Board.

The Veteran's low back disability, including both service-connected lumbar strain myositis and non-service-connected lumbar stenosis, has been rated at 40 percent since October 19, 2010. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's neurological impairment of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is not related to his service-connected low back strain, and thus denied a separate compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain Social Security Administration records and for further development. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder tendonitis. The low back disability claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS, finding that it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy with neurogenic claudication and foot drop are service-connected, as they were incurred or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected back disability, arthritis of multiple joints, and eye disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding treatment records and the need for additional examinations to address whether the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical, left shoulder, right shoulder, and low back disabilities had their onset during his active service in Vietnam. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to determine the severity of his lumbar disc disease, depressive disorder, and pes planus.