Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including private medical records from Edison Metuchen Orthopedic clinic prior to May 2004. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for his right knee disability was granted. The effective date is set at February 1, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is due to injury incurred during his service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, and low back disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and back disabilities have rendered him unemployable, effective March 1, 2008.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized as facet arthrosis, has been rated at 20 percent since October 27, 2011.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not shown to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to June 20, 2010. From June 20, 2010, his disability did not warrant an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including scheduling a VA social and industrial survey and obtaining records from the SSA. The case will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine was denied. Initial compensable ratings were granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but the Board notes that these claims are still on appeal.

The Board has determined that DDD of the lumbar spine had its onset in active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disorder, left foot and knee disorders, right foot disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and arthritis of multiple joints. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and lumbar conditions, as well as service connection for fecal leakage secondary to hemorrhoids. The decision also addressed a TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a lack of VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed low back and left foot disabilities. The claims are now pending again.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, is not related to his service. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the VA to secure all pertinent records of his private and VA treatment from May 2001 to January 2008, including those from Dr. Flippo and Dr. Pennington.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back strain, bilateral knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for an increased rating for low back strain was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record.