Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA orthopedic examination and consideration of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a spine condition, including lumbar and thoracic conditions, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an opinion regarding the etiology of his current spine conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left foot condition are service-connected. However, further development is needed to address his claim for residuals of a pelvic fracture, including lower back condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since September 20, 2005. The rating is based on the current severity of his disability without considering any past medical history or symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a rating in excess of 20 percent. The claims for service connection for cervical strain and a cervical spine disorder other than cervical strain were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back disability and postoperative residuals of a left inguinal hernia repair are not related to service. The appeal for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is rated at 40 percent effective October 30, 2008. The Veteran also has a separate 10 percent evaluation for sciatica of the right lower extremity associated with this disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to June 8, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 1, 2010. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied service connection for multiple myeloma, back condition, and neck condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not have onset during active service or within one year of service discharge and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including initial ratings for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and left total knee replacement, as well as effective date claims. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service. The remaining claims have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for low back and dental disabilities, as well as the issue of an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in service and denied his claims for service connection. The hip, shoulder, and foot drop disabilities were also denied as secondary to a pre-existing low back disability.

The Board has found that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current hip, leg, and low back disabilities. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and arranging for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for pulmonary disease, lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims were not substantiated by new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal with regard to the September 2008 rating decision, which denied entitlement to service connection for a low back disability.