Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lower back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder and left knee strain are not related to service, as there is no evidence of such disorders during or within one year after service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer residuals, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and other conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the May 2010 VA examiner and considering whether to submit the TDIU claim to the Director of the Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including service connection for osteoporosis secondary to lumbosacral strain, an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, and a higher rating for seizure disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA and VA treatment records, as well as a new examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and neuropathy/sciatica of the lower extremities were denied. The Board found no evidence that these disabilities had their onset in or were related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee disabilities are not rated higher than 30 percent. The claim for service connection of a low back disability has been reopened, but the new evidence does not establish that the condition is related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and thyroid cancer have been reopened, but new evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service. The claim for increased rating for diabetes mellitus is denied, as the current evaluation adequately compensates the Veteran. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for his low back disability and remanded other issues including service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for his disabilities, and TDIU.

The Board has ordered a remand to reconsider the service connection claims for low back and cervical spine disabilities due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to May 25, 2010.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA examination and review of updated treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are not related to service, including a June 1969 helicopter incident. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or caused by his service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and low back disorder are related to his service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or service connection in all cases.

The Veteran's claim for TBI was received on November 17, 2009. The effective date of service connection is assigned as of that date.,An increased evaluation to 30 percent for allergic rhinitis is granted beginning August 30, 2010.