Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a service-connected lumbar spine disability and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected fecal leakage.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the issues regarding migraine headaches have been denied. The effective date for a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches has not been established earlier than May 25, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, low back disability, and chloracne have been denied. The rating of 30 percent has been assigned for anxiety and depressive disorders with alcohol dependence prior to September 19, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Veteran's left shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities are not service-connected as they were caused by his own medical condition, specifically the June 2007 cardiac event. The VA treatment did not cause these additional disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease of the right hip, both claimed as secondary to a right foot injury. The Board has remanded this case due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nail fungus of the hands and feet, as well as his back disorder, are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records.

The case is being remanded for additional development including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain, also claimed as back problems. The examiner will need to consider the November 1969 diagnosis and the Veteran's lay description of continuous symptoms dating from his period of service.

The Veteran's IBS, HH, and GERD are currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7319 for irritable colon syndrome. The criteria for a higher rating (60%) require symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health. None of these symptoms have been shown.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7101. The criteria for a higher rating (20%) require diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. None of these conditions have been shown.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to missing service treatment records and a need for further development. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after all available evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back disability and service connection for a cervical spine disability were denied, while the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral pinguecula was granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including arthritis and malignant paraganglioma tumor of the sacrum. The current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and whether he currently experiences radicular pain. The Veteran needs a neurological examination to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a cervical spine disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.,Regarding the right upper extremity disorder (claimed as shoulder condition), the claim is pending and will require further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability and hypertension was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current back disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to determine the etiology of his service-connected conditions and any bilateral leg disability.