Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The claims for increased ratings for DM II and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy will be readjudicated with consideration of evidence added to the claims file since the July 2014 supplemental statement of the case. A new VA spine examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's back condition is related to his service-connected right knee, ankle, and heel disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC due to aid and attendance or a single disability rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain and neck strain are rated at the maximum allowable under VA's rating schedule, and there is no evidence of additional disability not contemplated by these ratings. The Board denied entitlement to extraschedular ratings for both conditions. For TDIU prior to December 16, 2003, the Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any low back disabilities (other than a compression deformity of the inferior endplate of L1), to include degenerative disc disease and/or degenerative joint disease. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to April 22, 2009 without considering his age and a non-service-connected condition (HSP).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records, and the claims will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and a separate rating of 10 percent for left leg radiculopathy beginning May 12, 2015 has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and adjudication due to incomplete medical records, conflicting opinions from VA examiners, and the need for further clarification of the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on forward flexion, combined range of motion, or muscle spasm and localized tenderness. However, separate evaluations were granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (10 percent) from August 26, 2011, through September 23, 2012; for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (20 percent) from September 23, 2012, through March 2, 2014; and for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (10 percent) beginning July 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and because of his need to care for a sick mother. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's low back pain is found to have started in service and has continued since then, with a confirmed diagnosis of degenerative disc disease shortly after discharge. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the appeal due to lack of pending issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and notification of medical providers who treat him.

The Board has determined that the current VA examination and opinion are inadequate for adjudication purposes due to the lack of discussion regarding the Veteran's lay statements. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his cellulitis and tinea cruris are not compensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and lumbar spine disability did not have their onset in service or within one year of service discharge.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for anxiety disorder and service connection for low back, eustachian tube dysfunction, and seizure disorders. The claims were also denied for TDIU due to service-connected disability.