Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine DDD disability and entitlement to a TDIU prior to June 24, 2010 due to issues with the current schedular ratings not accounting for all manifestations of the disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability and finds that new evidence received since the April 2002 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service, as well as his father's corroborating statement, are considered in determining whether the current low back disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for back, hip, and knee disabilities. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to assess the severity of his TBI, PTSD, right tibia stress fracture, and right ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, connective tissue disorder, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability. However, no effective date was assigned as the increase in disability did not occur within one year of the receipt of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainties regarding the Veteran's service records and potential periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The Veteran is requested to provide information about his Reserve service, including any motor vehicle accident on June 8, 1985. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his service-connected spine and knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, but her claims for low back and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IBS, and DJD of the lumbar spine, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claim for a back condition and has determined that he is entitled to service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease and strain. The decision also addresses whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and compliance with regulatory requirements.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and a TDIU has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease, is not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip and back disabilities did not begin during service or are otherwise related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining missing service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond after any new evidence is considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain an adequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of his low back and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease, and muscle spasms of the low back are related to active military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any back disability and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's back disability is not service-connected, and his claim for an increased rating for olecranon bursitis of the left arm was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking his current back condition to service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis was rated at 20 percent prior to October 23, 2012 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.