Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current back disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease was productive of painful flexion beginning at 45 degrees until December 23, 2010; when forward flexion was further limited to 30 degrees. The disability has not been productive of ankylosis at any time during the appeal period and the Veteran has not been prescribed bedrest secondary to his service-connected back disability at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and epidermophytosis of the feet were denied. The VA examinations did not find any unfavorable ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome, and the Veteran's symptoms are adequately addressed by current rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability and eczema.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a medical examiner. The issues of service connection for back disability and bilateral leg pain are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The penis laceration scar was rated at 10%, the anal fissure as a residual of a puncture wound to the left buttock was not compensable, tinnitus was granted, COPD with history of pneumonia was granted, and low back disorder was not granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the evidence received since the July 2014 supplemental statement of the case. The issues include entitlement to increased ratings for various disabilities, as well as service connection for a neurological disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed back and foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional information, including whether the Veteran's symptoms related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain can be distinguished from those of his degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and considering the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was not manifested by ankylosis of the spine prior to October 27, 2012. As of that date, it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability does not render him unemployable, and therefore a TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar disc disease and chronic lumbar strain (lumbar spine disability), an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for post-operative residuals of left ankle surgery (left ankle disability), a compensable rating prior to September 20, 2013 and 20 percent thereafter, for left foot numbness, and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and low back disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and an evaluation of whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left shoulder impingement syndrome and lumbar sprain and thoracolumbar spondylosis have been granted, with a 10 percent rating each effective June 1, 2009.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disorder, with associated hip and leg pain, as well as any current foot disorder. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.