Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected, but his PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his asthma disability is rated at 30 percent. The combined service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage criteria for consideration of a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder including arthritis of the lumbar spine. The cervical spine and PTSD claims are being remanded.,The Veteran asserts that his current cervical spine disorder is related to an injury in service, similar to his low back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the claims of cervical spine disability, right ulnar neuropathy, and residuals of a right hand injury have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal for these issues.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of T-12 with lumbosacral strain were rated at 10 percent prior to May 13, 2015. Effective May 13, 2015, the disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic thoracic lumbar strain, right knee patellar femoral syndrome, and left knee patellar femoral syndrome. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back condition, which he contends is related to an accident in service. The Board finds the VA examination inadequate and remands the case for further development including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board has granted this claim.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for sleep apnea, but denied for other conditions. The Veteran's left shoulder strain was not found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and lay statements from the Veteran.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right wrist or low back disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for service connection for bronchitis was also denied.

The Veteran's claims of increased disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities, as well as the associated TDIU claim and several reopened claims, were denied due to her failure without good cause to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during or as a result of his military service and thus, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further development, including a psychiatric opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. For the lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, a rating in excess of 10 percent was not granted prior to December 10, 2015, or on or after that date. For right lower extremity radiculopathy, a rating in excess of 20 percent was denied beginning March 28, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and reviewing the claims file to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate rationale in the March 2014 VA examination reports and insufficient reasons or bases provided by the Board.

The Veteran's low back disability, including both service-connected lumbar strain myositis and non-service-connected lumbar stenosis, has been rated at 40 percent since October 19, 2010. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met.