Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disability did not have its onset during service, nor did it manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active service. The Board concluded that the Veteran does not have a neck disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are service-connected, with the PTSD receiving a 100% rating effective October 12, 2011. No other conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically DDD of the lumbosacral spine and ischemic heart disease. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions' impact on employment.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing via videoconference. The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations are pending.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional examinations and records review, particularly regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 11, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: increased ratings for left foot DJD and ankle disability, as well as service connection for a low back disorder. The Board has determined that further development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely Substantive Appeal was submitted in response to the April 2009 SOC regarding his claims for service connection for a back condition (upper and lower), a neck condition, and arthritis of the knees, back, arms, and shoulders. The case is REMANDED to schedule the Veteran for a Board travel board hearing on these issues.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder, alleging that she injured her lower back in service and has experienced ongoing symptoms since then. The Board finds the claim should be remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct an examination to determine if the current low back condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and unobtained private medical records. The Veteran's claims for low back disability and bladder disability are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development due to the need for updated medical evidence regarding her lumbar spine disability, as well as clarification on her employment status.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees and combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there are no findings of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour, nor any ankylosis.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression was reopened and granted. He is also awarded a higher initial rating for urinary frequency, increased ratings for his wrist disabilities, and TDIU.

The Veteran's back disability is manifested by subjective complaints of pain on motion in the lower back and flare-ups, with objective evidence of limitation of motion. The Board finds that an increased evaluation to 40 percent for the Veteran's back disability is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes totaling at least six weeks during the past twelve months.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for TDIU, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating effective from January 14, 2013. The neurological manifestations of the service-connected lumbar spine disability were also granted a separate compensable rating.