Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he received proper notice of a VA examination and for other indicated development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The issues include increased evaluations for his lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar strain and osteoarthritis of the lower back, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the current medical examination is insufficient for rating purposes and has ordered a new examination to determine the severity of the appellant's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar degenerative disc disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, cervical disc disease status post laminectomy and discectomy, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, malaria, tinea pedis with traumatized nails, and amebic dysentery, are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, a TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran is granted annual clothing allowances for the 2013, 2015, and 2016 calendar years due to use of left knee braces and back braces related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and a review of his service treatment records. The issues on appeal will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board grants SMC based on this need.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death and no longer has jurisdiction over the case.

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

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine DDD/degenerative arthritis was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peroneal nerve damage, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS, and right hip trochanter bursitis, among others, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back condition. The issue is REMANDED as it is inextricably intertwined with the CUE challenge.,PTSD was reopened, and the Veteran's PTSD was found to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date prior to November 6, 2008 for the award of service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The Board denied this request as the earliest effective date assignable is November 6, 2008.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current back disability was not incurred in or related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the current schedular ratings adequately reflected his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease is related to his in-service parachute injuries, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine, bilateral leg paresthesias, and bladder dysfunction prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to May 15, 2015. The Board finds that the symptoms of his disabilities consistently produced an unusual disability picture which prevented his from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational history.