Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Board denied an extraschedular evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, finding that the symptomatology did not warrant such a rating. The claim for TDIU prior to May 4, 2011, was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for a back disability, finding that his current diagnosed disc disease of the spine is not attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not have a back or left knee disability during service and cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for radiculopathy of the left leg and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right leg.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining service medical records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for thoracolumbar strain and right ankle strain have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that either condition warrants an evaluation in excess of the current 20 percent and 10 percent ratings, respectively.

The Veteran's disability rating for discospondylosis of the lumbar spine with osteoarthritis of lumbosacral and sacroiliac joints is maintained at 40 percent, based on forward flexion limited to 30 degrees. The associated incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve in both legs is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability on both direct and secondary service connection bases.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and thus no jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete history provided by the Veteran and inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's low back disorder may be related to his service, but further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability is being considered, along with the propriety of reducing his rating from 20 percent to 10 percent effective December 1, 2012. The appeal involves service connection on the merits and does not involve any presumption or exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected mechanical low back pain and whether his neck disability may be related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an upper and lower back disorder, fibromyalgia, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The decision is pending further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending as it is related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for increased ratings on four issues: lumbar strain and chronic low back pain with spondylosis, tinea cruris, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran seeks a higher initial rating for his service-connected degenerative spinal stenosis, spondylosis, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine the current severity of the disability.