Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of additional medical evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her thoracolumbar spine disability is denied as the evidence does not show that she meets the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 13, 2013 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Board previously denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, but granted a 20 percent rating effective February 27, 2008. The Court vacated only the portion denying a higher rating from that date. The case is remanded due to deficiencies in the prior VA examination and the need for further clarification of the Veteran's work capacity.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected lumbar spine disability and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain has been rated at 10 percent since January 28, 2009. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected IBS, PTSD, and lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's IBS symptoms were severe but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fatigue, low back condition, bilateral knee conditions, and chronic headaches are granted as they are due to Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. He is now entitled to a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for his back condition, and service connection for his right ankle condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and dysthymic disorder) are denied. The claim for increased rating for status post laminectomy lumbosacral spine with low back pain is granted to a maximum of 40 percent from September 20, 2010 to August 6, 2016, but denied thereafter. Separate initial ratings in excess of 10 percent are not warranted for femoral nerve radiculopathy of the right leg and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left leg.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and low back disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.,Additional claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability are being remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is proximately due to his service-connected cervical spine disability, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding no medical evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and migraines.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including left underarm pain, right underarm pain, neck disability, back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, residuals of rib fractures, residuals of head injury (skull injury), and headaches. The Veteran's service records are unavailable due to no fault on his part.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 22, 2012 and increased to 50 percent from June 1, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and a re-examination of his low back strain.