Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right eye disability did not have its clinical onset during service and is not related to any incident of service.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's low back disability was less likely than not related to his active military service, exposure to cold weather in service, or rigorous use of joints in military activities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to December 19, 2006 was denied. For the period from December 19, 2006 to December 13, 2009, his combined disability ratings of bronchial asthma (60%) and low back condition (40%) met the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran is rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional employment information from the Veteran's former employers, including his retirement from the United States Postal Service. The appeal is now pending again with the Board.

The Board has reopened the claims for lumbar spine and right foot disabilities, which are now on the merits. The Veteran's service connection claims have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn as to the issue of entitlement to a neck disorder or degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with radiculopathy. The Board finds that the evidence supports service connection for neurological impairment of the bilateral upper extremities, including neuropathy, radiculopathy and carpel tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's low back condition is not service-connected as it is less likely than not related to his in-service symptoms.,Hypertension was incurred during service and has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder and headaches, as new and material evidence was received. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, ensuring all service records are associated with the claims file, and providing a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded the case for further evidentiary development. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and depression are now before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending as it was not fully adjudicated in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, had its clinical onset during his period of active service. As such, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete development and requests an addendum opinion from a different examiner. The Veteran's claim for service connection of his low back disorder is currently pending.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 2, 2013, and May 6, 2010, for the grant of service connection for loss of teeth 8 and 9 due to trauma and surgical scar, lumbar spine, respectively, have been denied.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA spine examination. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was denied due to the lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to a hearing officer being unavailable and the need for another hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and bilateral L5-S1 radiculopathy, but denied service connection for cervical spine muscle spasms, left upper extremity radiculopathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.