Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar myositis is a result of an injury during INACDUTRA, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since September 13, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,An effective date of June 9, 2006, but not earlier, has been granted for service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated as 20 percent disabling from April 14, 2009, to February 15, 2010, and October 1, 2010, to October 23, 2011.,From October 24, 2011, the Veteran's disability rating was increased to 60 percent due to incapacitating episodes of IVDS lasting at least six weeks over the past 12 months.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for nonservice-connected pension and cervical spine disability. The Board dismissed the appeals as a result.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of anxiety disorder with depressive features from October 25, 2004 to October 8, 2015 was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability had worsened beyond what is already rated.

The Board granted a 20% rating for the lumbar spine disability prior to July 17, 2014 and a 40% rating thereafter. Separate ratings of 10% were granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy effective April 22, 2013.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent effective August 14, 2011. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent beginning August 14, 2012. The right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent. No rating higher than the current ratings is granted for prostatitis, GERD, or any other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting VA examinations. The issues of service connection for anal hemorrhoids, vaginal bleeding, fibroids, status-post total abdominal hysterectomy, and fistula of bladder are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and denied an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's low back disability was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. For PTSD, the evidence does not show deficiencies in most areas that would warrant a 70% rating.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left shoulder dislocation, left and right hand strain, low back strain, bilateral heel contusion, and tinea versicolor are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to assess current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and lumbar spine disability are being remanded for further evaluation as the VA examinations were not conducted. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the increased rating claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including high cholesterol and knee disabilities, due to lack of evidence establishing a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination of his right wrist disability. Service connection claims for tinnitus and right thumb injury are referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional records and proper notification.

The Board denied service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back injury, scar on lower back, and mental disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder and neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to care for himself or protect himself from the hazards of his environment, nor do they make him housebound. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance or on account of housebound status.