Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee, right knee, lumbar spine, and right shoulder conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development at a correctional facility.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise the result of a disease or injury in active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to December 3, 2010 for his award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision found that the claim was not filed within one year before the effective date and did not meet the schedular numeric criteria for an award of TDIU until December 3, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for updated examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral degenerative joint and disc disease was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease is associated with his constipation, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and PTSD. The AOJ will also issue a supplemental statement of the case if any benefits sought remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, heart disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, right leg disorder, and right foot disorder were denied. The claim for service connection of the gastrointestinal disorder was reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in 1981. The remaining issues remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as arthritis, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, but did not specify the exact dates or new rating levels.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her claims, including obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and depressive disorder claims are granted. The left distal fibula, increased rating for the left ankle disability, and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 25, 2007 for the assignment of a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for her right hip disability was denied. Her claims for TDIU, service connection for a lumbar spine disability, and service connection for fibromyalgia were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a new examination to assess his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran may also be provided with an examination to determine whether he has PTSD or another psychiatric disorder related to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee strain and reopened the claim for service connection of a back condition, but found that new evidence does not establish a direct link between the current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The Board found that the PTSD claim was not properly before the Board due to a procedural issue, and remanded the low back and iatrogenic hypothyroidism claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as arthritis, is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.