Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing. His claims for service connection and reopening of a back disability claim are still pending.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been manifested by pain, with forward flexion limited to 85 degrees at worst and combined range of motion limited to 155 degrees at worst. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the left shoulder disability, effective from September 7, 2007. The thoracolumbar spine disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a neurological disability, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and lumbosacral radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims are related to exposure in Vietnam but no evidence supports this claim. The examiner is asked to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine with compression fracture of the L1-T12, along with his PTSD, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 3, 2008.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is found to have been incurred during his participation in VA training and rehabilitation services or CWT program, meeting the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange. The pre-existing condition, noted on entrance examination, did not increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a Travel Board hearing. The claims for service connection and rating issues remain pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Veteran's low back injury with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease is also rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back disability and bilateral leg pain are not service-connected as they did not have their clinical onset during active duty or are otherwise related to such. The preexisting residuals of a gunshot wound (GSW) to the low back were found to be natural progression with lingering effects, and there is no evidence of aggravation by service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability and whether it was aggravated by service. Additionally, if the examiner determines that the left knee disability caused or aggravated the low back disability, a VA examination will be scheduled for this purpose.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder and found that new evidence supports this claim. The Veteran's current low back condition is considered at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 31, 2013 was denied as the combined rating for his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's eligibility for service connection and to assign any appropriate rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc and joint disease. The Veteran is now entitled to de novo review of his claim, which the Board finds in favor of him as he has presented evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder (PTSD), was remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records, verifying dates of active duty, and scheduling a new examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and confirming any missing service treatment records. The Veteran's low back disability is being evaluated in relation to his active duty service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea has been rated at 50 percent since April 21, 2009. The rating is based on the need for a CPAP machine to manage symptoms.