Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, and kyphosis, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if he has experienced incapacitating episodes resulting in bed rest, and to reconcile conflicting evidence regarding such episodes.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a compensable degree within one year of separation.,Service connection for low back condition and neck condition were granted as they are presumed to have been caused by in-service repetitive injuries related to his duties.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further review due to the need to consider whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is pending.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar spine disability, from May 16, 2004, to February 11, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his chronic lumbar sprain was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain resulted in moderate disability prior to March 9, 2012. After that date, her condition was characterized by severe lumbar strain with limited motion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected degenerative disk disease, lumbar spine at L3-L4 and L4-L5, status post lumbar microdiskectomy at L3-L4 for herniated disk is denied as the evidence does not show that she meets the criteria for a higher evaluation during the period from February 26, 2007 to September 19, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at a 30 percent disability rating since October 2010, based on the frequency and severity of his prostrating attacks.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, skin disability other than dermatitis, or low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, the highest possible rating for a non-ankylosed thoracolumbar spine. The Board has granted TDIU based on the period from June 17, 2011 through November 29, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back disability, evaluated as 10 percent prior to May 1, 2013, and 20 percent from that date, is not rated higher.

The Board found that the appellant's current low back disability is not related to his active duty for training and denied service connection. The claim of reopening a psychiatric disorder was also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral knee disability and low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability in July 1978, based on the absence of radiographic evidence of lumbar spine pathology at VA examinations conducted after separation from active service.