Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at the highest possible rating under the applicable criteria, but his lumbar spine disorder does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,His migraine headaches are currently rated as 30 percent disabling and do not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The RO must schedule the Veteran for a Board hearing at the RO with notice provided to him at his current address.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, including CIDP, is related to his military service and herbicide exposure. The cervical spine DDD claim requires additional development as it involves a recent diagnosis.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their request for a hearing and to continue the appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in this case, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and right hip condition. The TDIU issue must also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the higher rating claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by limited range of motion and mild radiculopathy, does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent. Beginning November 1, 2010, the left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is not etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his back disability and his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 12, 2008.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lower back condition as secondary to his service-connected left and right knee disabilities. The case is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records related to the accident that caused the lower back injury.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, back disability, and right leg numbness are not found to be due to VA care or treatment. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish a cause and effect relationship between the Veteran's surgery and his additional disabilities.

The Veteran was not found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities during the period from January 31, 2007 to July 15, 2009. Despite missing some work days, he remained gainfully employed and capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back strain was granted, with a disability rating of 40 percent effective December 3, 2009. The Board found that the evidence supported this rating based on the functional loss and pain experienced by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine has been rated at 20 percent since August 25, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to a June 2014 VA examiner's opinion not providing sufficient information on the relationship between his current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right hand and wrist disabilities are not attributable to service, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after separation from service.