Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The Board recharacterized the issues based on relevant case law, but did not address the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, which satisfies the statutory requirements for TDIU. However, the weight of medical opinion and other evidence indicates that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment after February 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot, low back, and hip disabilities. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's depression is found to be proximately caused by his service-connected schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, resulting in a grant of service connection for depression.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and tension headaches have been granted.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for plantar fasciitis of the right foot and left foot are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature, extent and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. Specifically, VA examinations are required for his left knee, right knee, low back, and skin conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated medical records. The issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling VA examinations to address the issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and an official copy of the Veteran's Form DD-214.

The Veteran's appeal for secondary service connection for a chronic back disorder, to include IVDS of the lumbar spine, as secondary to his service-connected knee conditions is being remanded due to inadequate medical examination and need for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The lumbosacral spine disability remains at a 10 percent rating prior to December 1, 2011 and at a 20 percent rating thereafter. Separate 10 percent ratings are assigned for right and left circumflex nerve paralysis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new opinion on the relationship between his diabetes and back condition. His TDIU claim will also be remanded to obtain an examination that considers the combined impact of all service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues and the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted, as there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of the claim.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties under the VCAA, including obtaining SSA and Workers' Compensation records, as well as private treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded for additional examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during service or within a year of discharge, and thus could not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease is more likely due to post-service injuries rather than his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected vestibular dysfunction of the inner ear is rated at 30 percent, effective November 7, 2011. The Board finds that his daily dizziness and occasional blackouts meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6204.