Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on their direct effects, with a rating of 20 percent for the cervical spine disability. The other conditions are not rated separately as they are considered part of the overall cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed hemorrhoids and low back disability did not originate in service or are otherwise etiologically related to military service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective December 1, 2014. Service connection for a bilateral hip disorder to include as secondary to service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine IVDS was not rated higher than 20 percent from November 16, 2011, to October 6, 2014.,For the period beginning November 16, 2011, but no earlier, the Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS warranted a 40 percent rating effective April 21, 2015.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by pronounced IVDS prior to September 23, 2002, and limitation of motion with additional functional loss beginning on that date, is rated at 60 percent for the period prior to September 23, 2002. From September 23, 2002, his disability is rated as 40 percent for orthopedic manifestations and separately as 20 percent for neurologic impairment of both lower extremities.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective August 14, 2010. The reduction was not proper as there was reasonable doubt about whether there had been improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in a February 2016 statement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right deviated septum, left inguinal hernia, residuals of low back injury, and heart disorder. Specifically, an addendum opinion is needed regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, and respiratory disorder (COPD). The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for gout are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and readjudication of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating effective January 2, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including additional examinations and medical opinions to address the appellant's claims of service connection for a chronic low back disorder, left knee DJD, and diabetes mellitus type II with associated disabilities. The issues related to TDIU are also being held in abeyance.

The Veteran's ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, hand, and back disabilities are not service-connected. Early onset peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is also not service-connected.

The Board denied the service member's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and his claim for entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) as there was no evidence showing that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied by the Board. The initial rating for the lumbar spine condition remains at 10 percent, while the rating for the radiculopathy is also at 10 percent prior to November 2, 2015, and 20 percent since that date.