Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability did not have its onset in service, was not manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation, and is otherwise unrelated to service. As such, the claim for service connection for a low back disability has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her service-connected back condition is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of her disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the combined effect of all his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, including his now service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 7, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his compression fracture, L1 vertebra, with chronic lumbar strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to October 3, 2017 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

From March 24, 2009, to January 12, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone were not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.,From January 13, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis has been rated at 40 percent since the appeal began, and there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for either a left shoulder or low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA orthopedic examination to address range of motion and functional loss due to pain. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 10 percent since October 1, 2003, and 40 percent since August 23, 2016. The claim for higher initial ratings for cutaneous neuritis of the anterior aspect of the left thigh remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability, bilateral leg pain, and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete opinions and need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his low back disability and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the low back disability, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. For TDIU, the Board noted that the Veteran had been working full-time since 2012 and his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied, but granted.,Effective from July 20, 2004, the Veteran is now receiving service connection for his low back and neck conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a low back disability, including as due to a service-connected bilateral ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and the obtaining of additional medical records. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for various foot, knee, hip, and back disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability. The TDIU claim will also be reconsidered.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral upper and lower extremities, hip, leg/knee, right ankle, and foot disorders. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.