Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the severity of her service-connected minor concussive syndrome, TBI, chronic cervical strain and cervical spondylosis and neuroforaminal stenosis bilaterally from degenerative spurs, as well as any relationship between her lumbosacral spine disability and her service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease has been granted, with a 20 percent disability rating effective August 8, 2016.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is etiologically related to active service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the service connection claims for a back disorder and a psychiatric disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis in the thoracolumbar spine is not related to his service, including as secondary to his service-connected healed coccyx fracture with cococcygodynia residuals.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits is granted as of November 5, 2010. The decision was based on the Veteran's inability to secure non-marginal gainful employment due to his diagnosed low back and radicular disorders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, stomach disability, and sinus disability on a de novo basis.

The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to attend a videoconference hearing and for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left leg disability, including left foot drop syndrome and left lumbar sensory-motor radiculopathy, is not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected depression aggravated his claimed low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU prior to February 4, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Formula or IVDS Formula.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and low back disabilities are not service-connected, as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected back and right knee disabilities warrant increased ratings, but not to levels higher than those currently assigned.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is unrelated to active duty service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has ordered a remand for an addendum medical advisory opinion to address the likely etiology of the Veteran's back disability, considering her service records and post-service treatment history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic lumbar myofascial strain and right foot conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 22, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU on a schedular basis effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a medical professional regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability was not shown to be related to service, and the Board found no evidence of a chronic disease that became manifest within one year post-service. The initial rating for right foot scars was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and right knee disability. The claims will be considered again after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU, to include on an extra-schedular basis, for the period prior to April 26, 2013 was denied by the Board.