Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the agency of original jurisdiction for further action on his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for the compression fracture L1, L2, and L4 of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings are granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate rationale provided by the VA examiner in July 2014. The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability, but the VA examiner could not provide an opinion without resorting to speculation.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a back disability that had its onset in active service or is related to active service, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the January 2014 VA examination was inadequate, and remanded to obtain additional records and an updated examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for epistaxis, migraine headaches prior to March 5, 2010, left hip bursitis prior to March 5, 2010, and lumbar degenerative arthritis prior to March 5, 2010 have all been granted. The Veteran's claims for evaluations of these conditions are also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic and lumbar spine strain was granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent as of May 31, 2013. The condition is manifested by flexion limited to approximately 35 degrees on flare-ups.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of residuals from frostbite to the feet. The Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral pes planus are not service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, scheduling appropriate examinations to assess the nature and severity of his lumbar strain disability, and determining if he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's low back disability has been granted service connection effective August 31, 2006. The initial rating of 10 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, to include degenerative disc disease, and left shoulder disability are being remanded for additional development as the Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including consideration of whether his current condition is related to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was denied as there is no evidence of current disability in either condition.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the face and upper and lower extremities has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was granted with an effective date of September 16, 2011. The appeal is based on reopening the previously denied claim.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable during the time periods at issue, as his combined evaluation was sufficient to meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU and he had other factors that prevented employment.