Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional service personnel records and determine if the Veteran's discharge from the Army Reserve makes him ineligible for VA benefits. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current upper back disorder is not related to her active military service, including any injury or disease incurred during her period of ACDUTRA. The claim for headaches was remanded but remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not been manifest at any point during the appeal period by flexion limited to 60 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding resulting in altered gait or abnormal spinal curvature. Therefore, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders due to incomplete records from National Guard service, need for new VA medical opinions regarding in-service injuries, and other procedural matters.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and is not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, including as secondary to service-connected low back disability and/or bilateral knee chondromalacia. The issue of whether lumbosacral DDD is secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain has also been raised.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine was granted. The disability is rated at 20 percent, effective February 5, 2010.

The Veteran's low back disability, including radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, was granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective August 25, 2014. The issue of a TDIU remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorders, including DDD and DJD, are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and possibly a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he had unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or the entire spine, and there were no incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).,The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since June 9, 2009.

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disorder to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and is granting it, finding that new and material evidence has been received to support this claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disability did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection for a back disability is denied.

The Board has directed that the Veteran's file be returned to the VA examiner who conducted his May 2014 VA medical examination. If necessary, a new VA examination should be scheduled for an opinion on the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's schizophrenia was granted a 70% rating effective March 4, 2016. His lumbar strain is rated at 10%. The issue of TDIU prior to March 4, 2016 remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, specifically low back strain with DDD, is being remanded for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding his mental health disability (PTSD), are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, fungal infection of the left great toe, and hypertension. The heart disability claim is pending as it relates to a direct service connection.