Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines, mood disorder, back condition, and right ankle condition meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating and she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disorder and lung disorder (including asthma and COPD) have been granted service connection, with the effective date being January 4, 2011 for the cervical spine strain and January 24, 2011 for the left upper extremity radiculopathy. The rating assigned is 20 percent for the cervical spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical records and examination, particularly related to treatment in 2000.

Your claims for service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted, effective as of May 31, 2007. The appeal is dismissed as the issues are no longer in dispute.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development to include a request for updated VA medical treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities are related to his active military service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, including difficulty maintaining effective work and social relationships. The VA assigned a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD as of June 21, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability and did not address the claim for an effective date earlier than December 16, 2004 for upper back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the presence of bladder impairment associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disability, which could potentially affect his current rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability is caused by his service-connected low back disability and grants service connection for this condition as secondary to the service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as the Veteran's military personnel file.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board has restored this rating and remanded the claim for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records from various VA facilities and a Texas state prison. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating claims have been denied. The Board found no current bilateral hearing loss disability, and the low back disability was not shown to be related to service or due to any other compensable factor.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the service connection for residuals of a left arm injury and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disorder. The Board is dismissing these issues.

The Board denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, diabetes, skin disorder, urinary tract disorder, TBI residuals, headaches, and lumbar spine strain. The decision found that new evidence did not warrant reopening the claim for hearing loss, while other claims were denied based on lack of a nexus to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination in January 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer and a thoracic and lumbosacral spine disorder, finding no current diagnosis of either condition and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus with active duty service.