Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing records, including SSA and VA vocational rehabilitation records. The Veteran's right knee disorder case will also be remanded for a supplemental opinion from the December 2009 examiner.

The Veteran's back disability was found to not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent. The VA examinations did not show favorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, or a back disability related to service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for a VA examination. The issues of increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and right knee injury are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of service treatment records and need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's spine disorders.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the initial disability evaluations in excess of 50 percent for a right upper extremity neurological disability and an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military sexual trauma during active duty. The low back disorder claim remains pending as a new examination and opinion are required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar strain, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are denied as there is no clear evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for left shoulder disability is granted, while the claim for left fifth finger disability remains pending due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and herniated disc of the lumbar spine, along with associated radiculitis and sciatica of both legs, are rated at 40% since February 8, 2006. The claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a new opinion regarding the etiology of any current back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current low back disorder related to service and denied his claims for service connection. The claim for temporary total evaluation due to convalescence following lumbar spine surgery was also denied as there is no established service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities are found to have caused or aggravated her current disabilities of the bilateral ankles, knees, hips, and low back.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain has been manifested by some limitation of motion and pain, but not resulting in intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes. The disability does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service low back injury or disease, and the current lumbar spine degenerative joint disease is not related to service. For psychiatric disorders, there was no corroborated in-service stressor for PTSD, and the acquired psychiatric disorders are not etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for DM and PTSD, as well as for low back disability. The Veteran's other claims are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee or low back disability during the period of his claim, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable in September 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a ratable back disability related to service and therefore, service connection for a back disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to missing medical records from various locations, including Seoul, South Korea; Yokota, Japan; and Yokosuka, Japan. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.