Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be adjudicated on the merits, including obtaining service treatment records from a period of honorable active service and scheduling an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation is currently 80 percent, which satisfies the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected low back and right knee disabilities prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment, even when considering his past work experience. The TDIU claim is granted on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is likely related to his in-service injury, and thus grants service connection for a low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for schedular and extraschedular evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc and joint disease with right radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus. The case will also be reviewed to determine if entitlement to a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (left foot drop with radiculopathy and low back disorder) prevent him from obtaining or maintaining all gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied as the December 1968 rating decision denying service connection due to pre-existing cardiomegaly was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis and shell fragment wound muscle injury.,The Board also finds that the Veteran's psoriatic arthritis of the bilateral hips is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including service connection for a sleep disorder and higher initial ratings for certain disabilities. The decision did not address the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 10 percent prior to April 22, 2013, and at 20 percent thereafter. The VA determined that the condition warranted a higher rating based on more severe limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, osteoarthritis of the left hip, and degenerative changes of the pubic symphysis do not preclude substantially gainful employment. The criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome and lumbar strain were granted effective June 28, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not otherwise related to service. The Board also determined that the back disorder is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, left knee residuals of meniscus tear with degenerative changes, intra-articular calcification of the left elbow with degenerative changes, and right foot Morton's neuroma. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical services were denied because the treatment was not in an emergency situation and VA facilities were available.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has scheduled the Veteran for a videoconference hearing to address his claims of PTSD and low back disability. The appeal is remanded due to the need for such a hearing.