Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to August 16, 2013 were rated at 70 percent for PTSD with depression. These conditions rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his physical impairments.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for cervical degenerative disc disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, or headaches prior to December 6, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back strain is not etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 25, 2015. The Board has determined that the criteria for TDIU on a schedular basis are met.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis is rated at 40 percent, effective July 9, 2012. His bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated as 20 percent for each leg since September 13, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for left and right knee disabilities, right ear hearing loss, and service connection for left ear hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeal regarding the April 2011 rating decision denying a petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability was not timely filed. Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder has been granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since January 22, 2015. The rating remains in effect as the condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining updated medical records and scheduling her for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed gynecological and back conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability, and for obtaining any relevant treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered based on the updated evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and she does not have a compensable rating for recurrent urinary tract cystitis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine condition and additional development regarding his TDIU request.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for lumbosacral spine strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, hypertension, and bilateral pes planus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records and scheduling a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her left leg and back conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar discogenic disease is currently rated at 40 percent effective May 19, 2015.,Headaches are currently rated at 30 percent effective June 8, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records, including private treatment records from Kaiser Permanente.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for heart disease, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, and neck disability.