Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further consideration, including a determination on whether an extraschedular TDIU should be awarded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to a 90% rating effective September 1, 2007. As his disability was permanent and total as of that date, he is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board found that the reduction in the rating for low back strain from 40 percent to 20 percent was proper, as the evidence at the time of the reduction demonstrated improvement.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected tension headaches, right ankle disability, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability have been denied. The current evaluations are deemed appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, effective April 1, 2011. The rating for his right and left knee chondromalacia remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and addressing his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for the service-connected low back strain with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be caused by her service-connected low back disability, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's service status and to obtain medical opinions regarding her lumbar spine disorder and bilateral hip disability. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining medical records from various VA facilities and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, and urinary condition/prostatitis will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for pes planus and a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, as well as his eligibility for a TDIU rating. The case is being remanded to allow for additional evidence to be obtained and an examination to be conducted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral knee, right shoulder, and right hip disabilities. The evidence now shows that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for left leg radiculopathy associated with lumbar disc disease was granted, and he is now receiving a 10 percent rating effective from March 8, 2011.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease at L3-4 and L5-S1 is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service connection claims for low back disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and respiratory disorder were not granted. His hearing loss disability was also found to be noncompensable.

The Board determined that the Veteran's back and eye disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied these claims. The Veteran's urethritis was found to be asymptomatic for the relevant period.