Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, left hip, and right hip disabilities are related to her active service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is also being evaluated.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and development in order to determine the nature of the Veteran's current back disability, its relationship to his service-connected fibromyalgia, and whether it is separate from his myofascial syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations and potential issues with notification of these appointments. The claim will be adjudicated based on the evidence in the file without a needed medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated appropriately, with the exception of his right knee strain and partial amputation of the left middle finger distal interphalangeal joint, which now receive higher initial ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and issuance of a statement of the case on certain claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred or aggravated in service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining substantial gainful employment since April 21, 2010. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and sinusitis were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his service, nor do they meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent, and denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, but not for other conditions such as heart disability, gastritis, or wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected conditions, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since April 13, 2009. The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from that date, and also granted TDIU based on the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is at least as likely as not related to his diagnosed degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot, left foot, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are all service-connected.,The Veteran's low back disability and cervical spine disability were also found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine, tinea versicolor, residuals of a wart removal on the right heel, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent from December 8, 1989 to February 14, 1994. The claim of CUE in the 1970 rating decision denying service connection for low back strain was denied.

The Veteran's SMC for aid and attendance is restored as her condition has improved under ordinary conditions of life.,The Veteran's TDIU rating is restored due to sustained improvement in her back disability, allowing her to return to work with reasonable accommodations.

The Veteran's low back disability and headaches were not found to be related to service. The cervical strain was rated based on its current manifestations, while the radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was also rated based on its current symptoms.,Service connection for TDIU was granted as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to work.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and his left upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are not found to warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder condition and for tinnitus.