Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease has been rated at 20 percent since December 16, 2009. The rating is maintained as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating from 40% to 10% for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was proper, effective October 1, 2010.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been rated at 30 percent since October 1, 1999. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right shoulder/clavicle disorder, hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, obesity, or osteoarthritis (left knee). The claim for service connection is denied.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining treatment records from the Wichita VAMC and adjudicating the issue of an extension of a temporary total rating due to treatment requiring convalescence. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining outstanding military personnel records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, left knee disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and right lower extremity disability (including ankle).

Your claim for service connection for a low back disability has been granted, effective June 12, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine if a new examination is warranted.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for low back disability and TDIU have also been addressed.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's current condition is related to her active duty service, including an injury sustained in 2006 during ACDUTRA. Service connection is therefore granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, lumbar spine, right great toe and Morton's neuroma of the left foot disabilities as secondary to his service-connected partial tear of the left Achilles tendon. The most probative evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. The psychiatric, low back, elbow, and knee disorders are not service-connected.

The case is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a Board hearing due to the Veteran's pending request. The appeal will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right upper back and shoulder pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and L4-5 lumbar diskectomy are being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine strain is not etiologically related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU beginning January 29, 2015. However, prior to that date, his combined disability rating did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back condition and finds that, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor, there is sufficient evidence to establish that his current low back condition is related to his period of active military service. The issue of service connection for prostate and pulmonary conditions remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and extent of her service-connected PTSD, back condition, uterus condition, and unemployability.