Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The issues of service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and TDIU will be addressed after further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for additional medical opinions regarding nerve disorders.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if new evidence supports reopening a claim for service connection of a back injury.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 30 percent, which adequately compensates for her symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for reflux esophagitis, lumbar spine disc disease, and bilateral pes planus due to unresolved issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as his employment is full-time and he has maintained it throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left shoulder, back, and hypertension disabilities are not service-connected as there is no evidence of chronicity since service or a link between current disability and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is related to service, with particular emphasis on the June 2014 Reserve injury and preexisting condition aggravation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, which is now granted. The low back disorder was also found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's right hip and left hip disorders as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The case is being remanded for further development as the VA examiner who examined the Veteran in December 2009 was not available to provide an addendum opinion. The AOJ should seek another VA clinician's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a back disability was incorrectly determined to be an orthopedic condition instead of a manifestation of her service-connected fibromyalgia. The effective date for the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia is now set at May 15, 2007, and she is granted an initial rating of 40%.

The Veteran is not rendered unable to obtain (secure) or maintain (follow) substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities for any period.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated at 30 percent, and the low back disability is found to be secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. Both issues have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence did not establish clear and unmistakable aggravation of pre-existing lumbar spine condition during service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various disabilities, including a left hip disability and related issues. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with stenosis.

The Board found that degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected peripheral vascular disease (PVD) of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated, but he is not entitled to higher ratings or a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for his low back disability is pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric disorders and musculoskeletal conditions.