Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to inadequate examination and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as of May 20, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA spine examination and because additional evidence may be relevant. The Veteran will need to provide information about any SSA disability benefits application, and further medical records are needed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since July 6, 2010. Service connection for a low back disability has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address her claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to schedule him for appropriate VA examinations. The appeal will be remanded to allow for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various forms of arthritis, are related to service. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore, denied her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, which is required for a 50% rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the record and a need for clarification of the Veteran's diagnosis. A new examination is required to determine if his current lumbar spine disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back and right knee disabilities were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for a back disability and found no new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral foot and right shoulder disabilities were also denied as there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher schedular evaluations. The issues of TDIU have been referred to the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have left lower extremity radiculopathy or other separate neurologic manifestations in the left lower extremity, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and other issues.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease were evaluated, with the lumbosacral strain receiving a 20% rating. The decision on TDIU is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to service.