Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded this case due to the need for further development and adjudication on other pending issues, including the issue of attorney fees. The appeal is currently in a state where it cannot be decided without addressing these other matters.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, bilateral foot disability, psoriasis, and low back disorder were not incurred in or related to her military service. The claims for increased ratings were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct a VA examination, and readjudicate the issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and increased the ratings for both right and left knee disabilities to 20 percent each.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine arthralgia and low back strain was found to warrant a 20 percent disability rating from March 15, 2010 to September 8, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, treatment records, and development of his employment history.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting a new VA medical opinion to address the Veteran's upper back disorder claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral athlete's foot, low back strain, and prostate cancer are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or exposure to herbicides or other environmental contaminants.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorders, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his military service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any superimposed injury during service resulted in an additional disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are service-connected, but his lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are not. The Board granted a TDIU effective April 1, 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder and arthritis, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for a cervical spine disability was withdrawn.,New and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 21, 2015, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. From October 21, 2015, forward, the disability was rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and as such the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, prior to November 18, 2011, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent as his range of motion was within the limits set forth under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy, left wrist and right wrist avascular necrosis, as well as a higher rating for his cervical spine disability. The appeal also includes an issue regarding TDIU.,The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, and avascular necrosis of both wrists. He also requests a higher initial rating for his right ankle disability and entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,,,The Veteran seeks service connection for avascular necrosis of the right wrist due to service-connected right ankle disability. The appeal includes an issue regarding TDIU.,,,

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.