Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an adequate examination to address the Veteran's low back disability prior to July 16, 2013.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 20 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, effective April 21, 2010, as the reduction was not proper and did not demonstrate an improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral knees, and left ankle as his conditions are not related to service or manifested within one year of separation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD was granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective October 7, 2014. The Board found that the upper back condition had not been shown in service or for many years thereafter and is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues, and the case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claim for service connection for a low back disability, secondary to a service-connected left knee disability, is moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his period of service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his low back condition and bilateral hip condition.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were not rated higher than initially assigned, with no new evidence provided to warrant a higher rating.

The Board finds that additional development is required for the claims of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and left great toe disabilities due to incomplete records and lack of consideration of lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and denied the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disability, and fibromyalgia. The Veteran's GERD is considered to have had its onset in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and whether his left ankle disability is related to his service-connected low back disability. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 27, 2008. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating based on his daily low back pain and functional limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are related to her service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board found the Veteran's COPD and thoracolumbar spine disorder are not related to his active service.,Competent medical evidence is against a finding that the Veteran currently has these conditions as a result of his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and clarification of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development to determine his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain and associate with the electronic claims file all outstanding VA treatment records from Bay Pines VAMC for the period from January 2012 to the present. The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's pes planus with plantar fasciitis was rated at 10% prior to January 6, 2012 and now warrants a 50% rating effective from that date. His degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated as 20%. The radiculopathy in his lower extremities are each rated at 10%. These ratings reflect the severity of the Veteran's disabilities.