Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, to include degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and a need for additional examination.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability since December 9, 2014. The previous rating of 10 percent was maintained prior to that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his active military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for assignment of a TDIU and has been reasonably shown not to be able to engage in substantial gainful employment due to his combination of service-connected disabilities, considered in conjunction with his education level and prior work experience.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and a higher initial rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his lower back condition, and the failure to provide a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) for the period prior to December 30, 2011.

The Veteran's DDD, L5-S1, was rated at 20 percent from April 20, 2011 to March 31, 2015. The rating was reduced to 10 percent effective April 1, 2015 for both the right and left lower lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a video hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues of service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, broken ribs, and back disability are pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis was not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating from December 29, 2011. From September 19, 2014, her condition met the criteria for a 10% evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's low back disability warrants a 20 percent rating prior to April 26, 2012. Separate ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent are assigned for left leg radiculopathy and right leg radiculopathy, respectively.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is rated at 10 percent, the lowest possible rating under the applicable criteria. The other issues on appeal are not addressed as they were not adjudicated by this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current leg and back disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after all development has been completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his period of service.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current low back disability, which began in service and is related to his military service. The claims for cellulitis and Bell's palsy are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss, neck disability, and back disability are related to his service in the United States Army National Guard.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, sleep apnea, GERD, migraine headaches, and bilateral hearing loss. The reasons provided were that there was no confirmed diagnosis of these conditions in service or since service separation, and continuity of symptoms since service could not be established.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disease of the lumbar spine with contusion is being remanded due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity and functional impact of his disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, need for a new VA examination considering recent testimony, and the Veteran's receipt of Social Security Administration disability benefits. The claim will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's low back and left knee disorders, as well as to consider additional private treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after all relevant evidence is considered.