Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20% evaluation prior to December 29, 2008 and a 40% evaluation from June 1, 2009, to February 17, 2010, and from February 18, 2010, to April 28, 2016. The claim for an increased rating since April 29, 2016 is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic low back pain due to inadequate consideration of his reported history and lack of corroborating evidence. The case is returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining service records related to a possible medical discharge procedure and scheduling an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the Veteran's low back strain, and a need for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded both issues due to the need for a new VA examination, consideration of extraschedular evaluation, and referral to the Director of Compensation Service for an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD was restored from March 1, 2016. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been rendered moot.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection based on his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar DDD has been reopened and is being remanded for further examination. The claims for left knee disorder and right knee disorder are also being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from January 12, 2010 to January 28, 2017. The Board finds that the evidence demonstrates symptoms of limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less during this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of DDD of the lumbar spine and service connection for bilateral pes planus are being remanded due to outstanding development needs.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and cervical spine or neck disability as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar and cervical spine disorders due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently considered direct service connection cases.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence from the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been REMANDED due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling examinations, and ensuring compliance with remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of increased rating for back disability, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left arm and nerve damage due to pacemaker placement, and special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to March 10, 2012 was denied. From March 10, 2012 onward, the Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, neck disability, back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and depression. Service connection was also denied for high cholesterol.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal.