Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's death was caused by his willful misconduct of abusing prescription medication, which is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims due to incomplete information in the prior VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of an extraschedular evaluation. The Veteran's claim is pending with the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination, as well as clarification of his work absences.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and low back disabilities, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back or sciatica disability that is related to his active service. The VA examiner found no evidence of chronic low back disability in service and noted that the Veteran's current back problems are more likely due to a 2004 train accident.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 5, 2011 did not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L5-S1, is etiologically related to active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spine strain with grade 1 spondylolisthesis with spondylolysis at L5, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been withdrawn. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold criteria for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a), but his unemployability due to these conditions warrants further consideration and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, right knee, and left knee disorders are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as he indicated satisfaction with the current disability rating. The Board also denied service connection for a shoulder disability, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding no evidence of ankylosis or unfavorable spinal conditions. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is not before the Board.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The appeal for a higher rating was denied. For bilateral pinguecula, an initial compensable rating was not granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to a service-connected condition. The claim for secondary service connection due to PTSD was also denied.