Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and DJD resulted in limited motion to a maximum of 70 degrees, with guarding and muscle spasm noted. This more nearly approximated the criteria for a 20 percent rating prior to April 16, 2015, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the appellant's bad conduct discharge is a bar to VA benefits, and denied service connection for back disorder, heart disorder, psychiatric disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability precludes him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incongruity between VA opinions and a need for additional medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and the need for additional examinations. The claims will be reviewed again after all requested records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed as there are no remaining issues for review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and arrange for examinations to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea, myofascial pain syndrome, back disability, and shoulder disability are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining new VA opinions and obtaining all outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for mechanical low back pain with facet arthropathy at L5-S1 was denied, but the Board granted a higher 40 percent rating effective October 18, 2012. The TDIU issue is also granted.

The Veteran's lumbar sprain with degenerative disc disease at L-5, spondylosis, and scoliosis has been rated as 20 percent disabling since March 2, 2009. The Board found that the disability does not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, and that the symptoms were not severe enough to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis has not resulted in ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months, thus preventing him from receiving a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and TDIU are inextricably intertwined, necessitating a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records, consider SSA records, and provide an addendum opinion from the December 2012 VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of all diagnosed low back conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to an in-service lifting injury and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of her service connection claims, including a medical review to determine the nature and onset of her musculoskeletal disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection for various disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased initial ratings for his back disability has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. He has requested a videoconference hearing instead.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing and issues related to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between his current condition and military service.