Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, skin disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, toenail disorder, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, vein disorder, low back disorder, neurological disorders of the lower extremities, and eye disorder were not shown to be related to service. The Veteran did not provide any statements attributing these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the issues of service connection and rating for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA medical opinion and because his cervical spine disability may be related to his lumbar spine disability. A new examination and opinion are required.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all issues, including service connection for various ankle and knee disabilities, sinus disorder, left thumb sprain, lumbar strain, shoulder degenerative joint disease, and onychomycosis of bilateral feet. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted a 40% rating for the Veteran's low back strain, effective from September 15, 2005. The Veteran is also service-connected for bladder incontinence and bowel incontinence as secondary to his spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, back disability, and peripheral artery disease are pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and is remanding the remaining issues including sleep apnea, low back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression) for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board found that a current back disorder was not incurred during service and is not related to service, thus denying the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to incomplete records and clarification of Reserve service dates. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence obtained.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with arthritis is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The dental disability claim for compensation purposes was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating of his mechanical lumbar spine disability has been remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease have been manifested by a range of motion without pain, with forward flexion to 75 degrees, extension to 20 degrees, right lateral flexion to 20 degrees, left lateral flexion to 25 degrees, and right and left lateral rotation to 30 degrees. There is no evidence of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis. The Veteran's disability picture is adequately described by the current 10 percent rating assigned.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound as a result of his service-connected disabilities, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid & attendance/housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined rating is only 30 percent, which does not meet the minimum schedular requirements. The Board finds that referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from July 8, 2011. The claim for a TDIU prior to February 1, 2015, remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was also denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for depression and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected disability of the feet. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct further examinations, and provide additional opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and light sensitivity have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or continuity of symptoms since service separation.