Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine conditions, including degenerative disc disease and left sacroiliitis, are related to his in-service injury during active duty service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disorder. The issues of service connection for right leg and left leg disorders are inextricably intertwined with that of the back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disorder and bilateral foot disorder, but denied service connection for an upper back disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his active service.

The Board denied increased ratings for various conditions, finding that the Veteran did not have a currently diagnosed psychiatric disability and that his spondylotic changes at the right side of the sternum were not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability rating from 40% to 20% effective November 1, 2010 was proper based on improvement in his condition as evidenced by a VA examination conducted in April 2010.

The Veteran's unauthorized emergency room treatment for leg pain was denied as the condition did not meet the criteria of being one that a prudent layperson would expect to be hazardous to health if there was a delay in medical attention.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a spine examination. The claims of increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine strain with facet arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also being considered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent from May 12, 2009 to July 11, 2014. The rating period prior to this date is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an inadequate opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic/lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability are being reviewed again with new evidence and opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's back condition is not related to his service and concluded that it was secondary to a post-service work injury. The claim for service connection on this basis has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities as they are found to be directly related to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability did not manifest within a year of service, is unrelated to his in-service back injury, and was neither caused nor aggravated by a service-connected disorder. Therefore, service connection for a lower back disability is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right shoulder, bilateral wrist, bilateral elbow, and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted separate compensable ratings of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective December 14, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee, hip, and low back disabilities are related to his service-connected cold injury residuals of the bilateral feet.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 16, 2013. As such, TDIU is granted for this period.