Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was granted, with the effective date of May 29, 2014. The Veteran is now rated at 60 percent for his degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 and L4-5, effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to ensure compliance with the Court's January 2015 memorandum decision and prior August 2012 Joint Motion. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain any outstanding treatment records from his chiropractor, as well as complete clinical records of all providers identified.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment records and personnel records from the Veteran's reserve service. The appeal will be returned for further development.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is not related to his service, and the neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has resolved.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion, requiring a new VA orthopedic examination by a medical doctor who has not previously examined the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been productive of painful motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as forward flexion is greater than 60 degrees and there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and missing treatment records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed to include arthritis, existed continuously since separation from service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and IVDS since February 15, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and residuals of a laceration to the left thigh due to insufficient medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral wrist disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or since service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the RO. The issues include service connection claims and rating disputes.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD and DDD of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, reflecting limitation of motion. The evidence does not support a higher rating as her range of motion has consistently been within the limits for a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for psoriasis/skin spots, an initial compensable rating for osteoarthritis of the right hand, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right foot surgery with hallux rigidus and gout (claimed as right foot hammer toe). The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical degenerative disc disease has been denied. His claims have not yet been adjudicated.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus during the October 2015 hearing. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and bilateral leg disability, secondary to a service-connected seizure disorder, are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and traumatic brain injury residuals are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, heart palpitations, GERD with hiatal hernia, cervical spine disability, low back disability, nasal problems and left maxillary/ethmoid sinusitis, and sleep apnea. The claims were also dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal regarding heart palpitations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection for right knee disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining records from the VA medical center in Orlando. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected lumbar spondylosis with unfused anterior ring apophysis of L3 vertebral body will be reconsidered.