Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus TDIU compensation is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed post-operative lumbosacral spine disorder, including injury residuals, degenerative disc disease, and spinal fusion is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records from VA facilities.

The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic low back disability in service, and the current lumbosacral spine disability did not manifest within one year post-service separation. The radiculopathy of the lower extremities also did not meet these criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive an increased rating prior to October 12, 2010 and as of that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine disability and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating for diabetes was not granted, chronic otitis externa did not warrant a compensable rating, the lumbar spine disability received an increased rating but remained at 20 percent, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, knee disorder, ankle disorder, kidney disorder (hypertension), heart disorder (hypertension), erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities were not granted service connection. The Veteran's diabetes was rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's migraine headaches disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from May 28, 2012. The claim for a higher initial evaluation remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar facet joint arthropathy and bulging lumbar disc are not related to her service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome, and therefore, she cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her cervical spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the March 2013 VA examination and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and any SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed genitourinary system disorder, bilateral eye disabilities (glaucoma), and back disability were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence did not show continuity of symptomatology for these conditions within one year after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the Board after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The claim for a higher rating has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing notification regarding personal assault service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with lumbar and thoracolumbar scoliosis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion, as the combined range of motion remained within the 40% threshold.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a previous denial of service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service are considered, but evidence does not support an etiology related to service.