Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar disorder, including degenerative disc disease, requires additional development due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been granted, with a 40 percent rating assigned for the back disability effective February 23, 2011, and a 20 percent rating assigned for the radiculopathy of the left lower extremity effective February 23, 2011. The Veteran's initial ratings have not changed since the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess her lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims of service connection for low back, right shoulder, and left knee disabilities have been withdrawn by his representative. The claim seeking an increased rating for PTSD has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of service connection for hypertension will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including service connection and increased ratings. The case is being remanded to the RO due to issues with the certification of certain claims and the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death, and whether his suicide was related to his severe chronic pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disorders did not begin during active service or within one year after discharge from service. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection based on his service-connected foot and ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability does not relate to service and is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no current conditions that met the criteria for service connection, except for migraine headaches and erectile dysfunction (ED) with Peyronie's disease.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disability and PTSD, but denied his request for an earlier effective date for PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability and an initial rating greater than 40 percent for the residuals of a lumbar spine injury, including a claim for an increased evaluation on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle arthralgia/pain, left shoulder strain, and low back strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and a current VA knee examination. The Veteran's attorney also filed notices of disagreement regarding service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and an effective date prior to June 14, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to February 2, 2009 is dismissed as he specifically denied seeking this benefit in January 2009.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 10 percent since April 5, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the low back disability and sciatica in the left and right legs.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent from February 5, 2011 to September 5, 2015. From September 5, 2015, the rating remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review of new evidence, including a medical report from a private physician.