Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine spondyloarthropathy and degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional examination, treatment records review, clarification of TDIU claims, and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 1, 1997. The evidence does not support his claim that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an examination, as well as consideration of a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining certain documents and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment records and VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent, and his left knee disability remains at 20 percent. The claims for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's low back disability, including intervertebral disc syndrome, is currently rated at 20 percent from February 28, 2013. The rating remains unchanged as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating as there are no findings of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral leg disorder were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability and low back strain do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's urticaria was rated at 10 percent prior to May 1, 2013 and higher than 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran's mixed tension and migraine headaches were rated at 30 percent since May 1, 2013. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's withdrawal of both issues on appeal and therefore dismisses the case.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability during service or within one year after discharge, and concluded that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his active duty service. The Board also noted insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current eye and prostate conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's pre-existing dorsal kyphosis was not aggravated during his active service, and a back disability other than dorsal kyphosis is not etiologically related to the Veteran's active service. The incurrence or aggravation of thoracolumbar spine arthritis during active service may not be presumed.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and National Guard personnel records, which have not been obtained yet. The case is now REMANDED for these records to be requested.