Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or additional functional loss.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of heart palpitations with angina and epilepsy due to his withdrawal of these claims. The Veteran is granted special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be rendered in this case, including obtaining English translations of Spanish language medical records and providing an adequate VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral knee, right hip and back disorders as secondary to a service-connected left femur fracture. The VA examinations found no evidence linking these conditions to military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for de novo review by the Decision Review Officer (DRO) process, and further development is needed before the claims can be adjudicated.

The Board has reopened the claim for a low back disability and granted service connection for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5, finding that it is related to the Veteran's in-service motor vehicle accident.,Service connection was also established for bilateral plantar fasciitis and right Achilles enthesophyte, with the opinion that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment records and personnel records, which need to be obtained for a new medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for 2014 due to use of a back brace related to his service-connected low back disability. However, he is denied a clothing allowance for the left knee brace as it does not relate to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since December 27, 1999 and TDIU effective from the same date.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent effective August 6, 2014. The appeal is denied as the rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete search for military records and further investigation is required.

The case is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining treatment records from January 1996 through March 2001 at the Detroit VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. However, the Board granted a TDIU from March 6, 2010 based on evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and left ear disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment prior to March 19, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability began during his active military service and has continued since then, granting service connection.

The Veteran's back disability did not increase in severity due to VA chiropractic treatment on August 21, 2007. The additional pain was a result of the carelessness or negligence of the VA in providing medical treatment.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected low back strain and left knee disability were denied. The Board found that the applicable schedular criteria are adequate to evaluate each disability under consideration at all pertinent points.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc and joint disease, is etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent from August 20, 2010 to September 5, 2011 and at 40 percent since September 6, 2011. His left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent since July 8, 2013.