Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise shown to be related to any incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a back disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his low back disability claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records from April 2009 to the present.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right foot disability, low back disability, and left knee disability. The Board found that the current disabilities were not related to his in-service injuries or conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of an extraschedular rating for low back pain with degenerative changes, as there are symptoms not addressed in the current rating criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, a skin disorder, or a back disorder. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses of these conditions and there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, diagnosed as chronic mechanical low back syndrome, which is found to be proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 10, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability present in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from December 9, 2011, based on forward flexion to 30 degrees or less and incapacitating episodes lasting at least two weeks but less than four weeks. The TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the combined effect of all his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to comply with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities beginning on October 27, 2010.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and his right L5/S1 lumbar radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU and increased disability ratings have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizophrenia, left knee injuries, and back strain, did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to October 1, 1999.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and lower back strain with DDD, as well as a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any claimed peri-vascular gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder was manifested by no more than thoracic spine degenerative disc disease; lumbar spine degenerative changes; recurrent severe 'stabbing' mid-back pain with radiation into the right buttock; a functional range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine of flexion to 56 degrees, extension to 10 degrees, right lateral extension to 25 degrees, left lateral extension to 16 degrees, and bilateral lateral rotation to 22 degrees; right thoracic sacrospinalis muscle pain and tenderness; bilateral absent knee jerks; bilateral 1+ ankle jerks; no lower extremity numbness, paresthesias, or weakness; and no incapacitating episodes.