Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bladder dysfunction, bowel incontinence, left lower extremity disability, and erectile dysfunction was denied by the Board. The Veteran is currently receiving a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability from October 18, 2010 onwards.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar disability with sciatica, hypertension, and migraine headaches are being remanded to allow for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain have been granted. The initial ratings for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain are also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and updating treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The issues include service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, initial evaluations for folliculitis and cellulitis of the scalp, a rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and restoration of a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, left shoulder disability, and left ankle disability are related to his service. The claim for increased rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including service connection claims for various health problems. The Board has scheduled a Travel Board hearing to address these matters.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected conditions, including left and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted service connection as they are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has granted a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected pelvic disability and found that new evidence supports reopening his claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is now rated at 10 percent for his pelvic disability, effective from September 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hip, back, and knee disabilities did not begin during or were otherwise caused by his active service, including his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment records and medical records from 1987 to 1996, including a claimed back surgery in 1992. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right knee disabilities are pending.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the failure to provide VCAA notice and obtain treatment records prior to May 1991. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, which was a result of his military service, contributed to his death from pulmonary thromboembolism. The cause of death is therefore service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected thoracolumbar strain and denied a separate compensable rating for neurological impairment associated with the back disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with lumbar scoliosis was initially rated as noncompensable prior to May 22, 2009 and subsequently granted a 10 percent disability rating thereafter. The claim for a separate compensable disability rating for a neurological disability of the lower extremities from May 22, 2009 remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disability, including partially conjoined right-sided L5 and S1 nerve roots and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.