Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence was insufficient to show that the Veteran's current back disability occurred during or within one year after separation from her active service, or was otherwise related to her service.

The Veteran's DMII does not require regulation of activities, and his lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to May 8, 2019, and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran’s right shoulder, cervical spine, right knee, and right foot disabilities are all rated at the maximum allowable under their respective diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's fecal leakage and chronic nerve problems were not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's IVDS, lumbar spine, is rated at 40 percent prior to May 21, 2012. From May 21, 2012, the rating for IVDS remains at 40 percent. The left lumbar radiculopathy associated with IVDS is rated at 40 percent from October 24, 2011 to February 10, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an extraschedular rating for his low back disability and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that the available schedular evaluations adequately described the Veteran’s disability level and symptomatology, and there were no related factors such as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 28, 2014 because there is evidence suggesting unemployability. The case must be referred to the Director of the VA Compensation and Pension Service for an opinion regarding extraschedular entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right leg disorder, finding that the disorders were not incurred in or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for several shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities due to incomplete records from in-patient treatment at Diego Garcia.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to December 3, 2014.

The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of a heart disability. The current medical evidence does not establish the presence of such a condition.,There is no documented history of diarrhea during service or in the post-service period that would support a finding of a chronic disability manifested by diarrhea.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as residuals of a left leg fracture), finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination reports, and further development is required before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for low back pain and bulging disc with foraminal stenosis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for issues related to effective dates and service connection.,The Board has also remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU based on migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional medical inquiry to determine the nature and severity of service-connected lumbar disability between February 26, 2007 and May 11, 2016.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective from December 14, 2006.,The Veteran was found to be totally disabled due to his service-connected disabilities as of December 14, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding the rating of his lumbar spine disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran needs new examinations to assess the nature, onset, and etiology of his right shoulder rotator cuff syndrome, thoracolumbar degenerative disease with scoliosis, and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for polymyositis and inflammatory myopathy, lumbar spine disability, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, sinus headaches, DM II, right knee disability, left knee disability, and MDD. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, lower back disability, cervical spine disability, and arthritis have been granted service connection. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder has also been granted service connection. However, the Veteran's yeast infection secondary to CPAP therapy for sleep apnea remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities, finding no causal relationship between the current conditions and in-service events.