Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to arrange for a Board hearing. The issues include reopening his claim for cervical degenerative disc disease, service connection for PTSD, rheumatoid arthritis, COPD, and insomnia, as well as an increased disability rating for lumbar strain and TDIU.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions due to his service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records, verify his service periods, and provide updated examinations for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine has been rated at 40 percent since June 27, 2008, and remains at that level as of February 11, 2015. The Board affirms this rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition was denied, and his increased rating for bilateral pes planus was granted. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, to include degenerative joint disease (DJD), but denied service connection for a liver disorder to include hepatitis C.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disorder and granted it as secondary to a service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting further examinations to address his knee and back conditions. The total disability rating claim is also deferred pending completion of these tasks.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires additional development and remand, including for a VA examination to determine if his depression is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The claims for increased ratings of left ankle DJD and lumbar DDD also require further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and failure to issue a statement of the case on the pleural thickening claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities may be related to his active service, specifically a period of ACDUTRA in 1984. However, further medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service or was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylolysis and strain with dextroscoliosis was manifested by actually painful joints, with pain on motion and use. There was no objective evidence of muscle spasm, guarding, range of motion limitation, or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and the evidence demonstrates that he is as likely as not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the diabetes mellitus claim was not granted due to lack of in-service manifestation within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and earlier effective date were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD with depression, but the effective date of this grant is set at February 14, 2006. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depression remains pending. His TDIU claim also remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and treatment records, as well as attempting to obtain SSA disability benefits records. A VA examination will also be scheduled if it is determined that the Veteran had a period of active service in June 1988.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA spine examination to determine the relationship between his service-connected low back strain and any current joint, spine, or disc diagnoses.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to service and denied his claim.