Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability alone did not render him unemployable prior to October 29, 2012. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding he was unemployable at that time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke residuals are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine and right leg radiculopathy conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records from Fort Benning hospital and clarifying the scope of his back disability claim. The AOJ will obtain an addendum opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of all current back disabilities found.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the schedular criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition during the appellate period. TDIU was denied as the Veteran is able to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and BPH, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that her preexisting condition did not worsen during periods of active duty and was instead due to natural progression.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease is rated at 60 percent since August 17, 2016. The cervical spine disability was initially granted a noncompensable rating prior to October 30, 2013, and then increased to 10 percent from that date until August 17, 2016, when it was raised to 20 percent. A temporary total evaluation is in effect following surgery for the cervical spine disability requiring at least one month of convalescence.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability to his military service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination and requests for information from examiners.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to her request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a thoracic spine condition, finding that new evidence supports a link between his in-service injury and current symptoms.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and granted it. The Veteran's other claims, including those for increased ratings, are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, which is now considered. The Veteran's symptoms have persisted since service and are related to his back condition.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right hip degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and any supporting opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine DDD, right leg sciatica, right hip degenerative arthritis, and major depressive disorder are all service-connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left hip joint degeneration. The issues will be remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and her case is dismissed.