Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability, and consider whether referral for extra-schedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing with a Board member due to audio equipment malfunction in the previous hearing. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and low back disability, as well as any acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service, and his bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by service. The appeal for service connection on these issues is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed disabilities of the feet and back are not related to his military service, including his in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has not manifested to the level that would warrant a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including the one regarding service connection for a sinus disability. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these matters.

The Veteran's groin pain is found to be a residual of his in-service varicocelectomy, and service connection for this condition is granted. Service connection for the low back disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability was granted a rating of 10 percent prior to November 17, 2014. From that date, the Veteran is entitled to a higher rating of 40 percent for his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had a low back disorder incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The respiratory disorder, including asbestosis and/or COPD, was not due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered and the appropriate medical opinions are obtained.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent disabling, effective from May 31, 2011. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral shoulder disabilities was granted.

The Board denied service connection for back, left shoulder, and left lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing onset in or causation by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disorder, right knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and a sleep disorder to include as secondary to a service connected disability.

The Veteran has been found unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD and degenerative disc disease, with the effective date being May 11, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease with radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease was rated at 10 percent prior to March 17, 2014 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for a chronic lumbar strain with anterior spondylolisthesis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 with a bulging disc have been rated appropriately, and he is granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 40 percent since the rating period on appeal, which is higher than what was initially granted.