Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and low back disability were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues raised by the Court, including the need for further development regarding service connection for a low back disorder secondary to irritable bowel syndrome with collagenous colitis. The Veteran is to be scheduled for a VA examination and additional records are to be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and GERD, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis at L4-5 are related to his active duty service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of a connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of the record, particularly regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current knee and back disabilities. The claims for service connection are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequacies in the examination and opinion provided by the VA examiner. The Veteran's lay statements regarding back pain are also being considered.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to address the functional loss due to pain and weakness in his back, as well as any flare-ups of his condition. The issue will be re-adjudicated after the examination.

The Board has granted presumptive service connection for DJD of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the Veteran experienced continuous symptoms since service separation and meeting the criteria for a chronic disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment throughout the period under appeal, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain and right ankle strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for his low back disorder is dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10%.,Cervical intervertebral disc syndrome was initially rated at 20%, and from September 27, 2013 to December 8, 2014, it was rated at 30%. From December 9, 2014, the rating is 30%.,Thoracolumbar spine DDD with lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and thoracic disc herniation has been rated as 20% from December 9, 2014.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity was initially rated at 30%. From December 9, 2014, it is rated at 30%.,Right hip strain has a rating of 10%.,Status post bilateral inguinal hernia repair with scars have been rated as 10% since August 30, 2002 and remains at 10%.,Left knee scarring was initially rated at noncompensable (0%) prior to September 27, 2013. From September 27, 2013, it is rated as 20%

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: increased ratings for TBI and lumbar spine disability, and a proposed reduction in the rating for prostate cancer. The case is being remanded to provide additional examinations and adjudication of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and headache disability. The Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a back examination. The issues of service connection for a back disability and associated right lower extremity disorder, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a varicose vein of the right leg, are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened, and he is now entitled to the maximum schedular rating of 10%.,His initial tinnitus rating remains at 10%, as it is the highest available under VA regulations. The Board did not address his request for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's migraines have resulted in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability for the pendency of the appeal, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.