Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected lumbar spine DDD prior to May 2, 2014, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disorders are not related to her service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied all of her claims.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including securing updated VA treatment records and arranging a new examination for service connection of residuals of concussion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the likelihood of aggravation of his pre-existing left hip disability during service and for any necessary secondary service connection determinations.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, even considering flare-ups, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 15, 2011 and 20 percent from that date. The Board found no evidence supporting higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, along with associated radiculopathy, rendered him unemployable prior to September 25, 2012. The Board has determined that the claim should be referred for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA spine examination and opinion to address service connection claims, including those related to radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The case will be returned to the Board after further adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is so severe that it precludes him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was evaluated at various initial ratings, but the Board found that none of these ratings met his claim for increased evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, gallbladder condition, intestinal polyps (related to GERD), and endometriosis as there was no evidence of chronic disabilities at any time during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability was not incurred in or due to her active duty service, including an alleged in-service motor vehicle accident. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain since August 20, 2015. The effective date of this decision is August 20, 2015.

The Veteran's DJD of the bilateral shoulders is granted service connection. The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine is granted a rating of 20 percent as of July 3, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted with an effective date of September 15, 2011. Her claim for TBI residuals was also granted with the same effective date.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and low back disability was granted effective June 7, 2012. The initial rating of 40 percent for the low back disability is granted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service, and whether it is secondary to his service-connected neck disorder or peri-patellar bursitis of the left knee. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a new hearing, as the VLJ who chaired the Veteran's previous hearing is no longer with the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA podiatrist regarding the Veteran's right foot disability and scheduling him for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected kidney stone disorder.