Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's recurrent lumbar muscle strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, reflecting the limitation of motion and pain without ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for scars of the lumbar spine has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that his symptoms and functional impairment warrant this rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU were granted, with the PTSD claim being based on direct service connection due to combat exposure. The TDIU claim was also granted as the Veteran met the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities likely precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left shoulder disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current symptoms and his service-connected left flank pain.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound, lumbar spine disorder, and hypertension are not supported by the evidence. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent since January 7, 2012. The Board found that the current rating criteria are appropriate in evaluating his disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, and residuals of left wrist strain with a history of fracture are being remanded due to incomplete records. The VA is instructed to obtain all outstanding treatment records from various facilities and any vocational rehabilitation records.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities beginning April 26, 2013. The TDIU claim prior to this date is referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability. The left hand disability claim remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg, low back, and right foot, ankle, or knee disabilities as well as chronic prostatitis due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, right knee gunshot wound residuals, and left knee gunshot wound residuals were all granted initial ratings. However, the Veteran did not receive higher initial ratings for his cervical spine disability or right knee gunshot wound residuals.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA/privately obtained treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease has been rated at 10 percent prior to September 19, 2013, and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since January 25, 2014. The appeal for higher ratings or service connection was granted.