Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as consideration of whether extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating following his August 2, 2012 lumbar disc surgery is being remanded due to the need to resolve service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine first.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2, low back condition (claimed as sore back), and athlete's foot to the AOJ for further review of additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and left knee arthritis are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee injury residuals with associated arthritis, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for neck pain and low back pain, finding that these conditions did not have their clinical onset in service or were otherwise related to active duty. The claims are based on direct service connection rather than secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and compliance with previous remands. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination to address his right knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain and extraschedular evaluation was denied. The issue of TDIU is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's low back disability is productive of severe limitation of motion, warranting a 40 percent rating since November 28, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and opinions regarding specific diagnoses and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher disability rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability, with the effective date being November 18, 2015. The case was remanded in July 2015 and requires additional examination to assess current severity of the condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues related to his service-connected conditions, with no new evidence provided that would warrant reopening the claims.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties under the VCAA. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and hypertension, as well as his claim regarding the rating for PTSD, are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require regular aid and attendance or render him housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, including those related to his employment at police and fire departments, worker's compensation claim, and surgeries. A VA examination is also needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to evaluate his lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled hearing. He will be rescheduled for a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be fully adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA records, arranging for a VA pension examination, and explaining whether SSA records show that the Veteran's disabilities prevent him from working.