Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is related to a skiing injury he sustained in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 23, 2015, and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The current rating of 20 percent is appropriate as it reflects moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his employment capacity due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disorder was not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less prior to August 2, 2012. Therefore, his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent since the date of his claim, effective from November 13, 2012. The issue of TDIU prior to May 29, 2012 has been referred for further action.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to be related to service-connected arthritis. The Board also finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, granting his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, effective March 17, 2011. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claim of a higher rating for her lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's status-post lumbosacral strain with spondylosis warrants a 40 percent rating from September 7, 2010 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and review of service treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, thoracic spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and right foot disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The remaining issues of whether he is entitled to a higher rating for hearing loss and to service connection for an injury to the solar plexus or xiphoid process that manifests as difficulty breathing are REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing supplemental opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU as of August 11, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is also remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU prior to August 11, 2015 and issuance of a SOC regarding the issue of entitlement to a TTE based on a service-connected disability requiring a period of convalescence following February 2016 surgery.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and cervical spine disorder are attributable to service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.