Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the January 2013 medical examination and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, neck disorder, tail bone disability, scar residuals, and migraine headaches. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease had its onset in active service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective August 13, 2010, due to his service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy preventing him from engaging in any type of physical employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her chronic lumbar strain disability was denied. The effective date of the granted rating is August 15, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD, migraine headaches, cervical spine degenerative changes including disc protrusion and myositis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, dermatitis and tinea versicolor (previously shown as pityriasis versicolor), and arthritis have been granted service connection. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for increased ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to July 25, 2010, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, for depressive disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and need for aid and attendance. The issues of increased rating, TDIU, and SMC based on aid and attendance are also being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his low back disability was granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective May 6, 2015. The issue of TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's current lumbosacral sprain is a continuation of a low back disorder considered as having arisen during service, likely aggravated by training during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for a combined rating in excess of 20 percent for his right knee disability has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to determine if the Veteran was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to November 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and the Board finds that he has satisfied the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence, including records from his time in service and postservice.

The Veteran was rendered unemployable as of May 21, 2013, solely due to his multiple service-connected disabilities and this has continued unabated since that point in time.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection as secondary to his active duty service, but the diabetes and hearing loss claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service.