Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the combined effect of all his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to comply with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities beginning on October 27, 2010.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and his right L5/S1 lumbar radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU and increased disability ratings have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizophrenia, left knee injuries, and back strain, did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to October 1, 1999.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and lower back strain with DDD, as well as a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any claimed peri-vascular gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder was manifested by no more than thoracic spine degenerative disc disease; lumbar spine degenerative changes; recurrent severe 'stabbing' mid-back pain with radiation into the right buttock; a functional range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine of flexion to 56 degrees, extension to 10 degrees, right lateral extension to 25 degrees, left lateral extension to 16 degrees, and bilateral lateral rotation to 22 degrees; right thoracic sacrospinalis muscle pain and tenderness; bilateral absent knee jerks; bilateral 1+ ankle jerks; no lower extremity numbness, paresthesias, or weakness; and no incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection of heart disorder, back disorder, brain disorder (head injury residual), and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD).

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including a right ankle condition and its secondary effects on his knees, hips, back, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board will review the evidence to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted and to decide whether these claims should be granted.

The Veteran's current cervical spine disability, diagnosed as cervical spondylosis and cervical degenerative discogenic disease predominantly at C4-5 with moderate degenerative changes at C5-6, is related to a neck injury sustained during Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) service in April 1992. The Board finds that the Veteran's disability meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar strain, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatic nerve impairment of the lower extremities, and a lumbar spine disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His heart murmur is not considered a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected lumbar spine and left hip disabilities. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, seeking information from the employer who submitted the February 2010 VA Form 21-4192, scheduling a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, and adjudicating his claim of entitlement to service connection for left breast cancer.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for low back strain and right radial fracture of the wrist are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee. The low back disability is rated at 20 percent, which represents a grant of the benefit sought.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and chest pain are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions from the previous VA examinations. Additional evidence is needed, including clarification on the etiology of his symptoms.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent for the period prior to December 4, 2013. From that date, a higher rating is denied.