Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are rated at 40 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his combined disability rating of 70 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the moving party's claim of clear and unmistakable error in the December 2005 rating decision, which denied service connection for a congenital variant lumbosacral junction. The Board also determined that there was no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including Social Security Administration records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sexual dysfunction, headaches, fatigue, back pain, bilateral hip disabilities, knee disabilities, shoulder disabilities, elbow disabilities, and left ankle disability. The appeals were reopened on new evidence but the claims were ultimately denied.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine arthritis, but denied any increase in evaluation for cervical spine arthritis.

The Veteran's OSA was granted a rating of 50 percent effective March 29, 2011. The issues regarding service connection for neck and thoracolumbar spine disorders were resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 29, 2006 is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examination and consideration of lay evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current back disability that is causally or etiologically related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar hyperextension strain is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a back disability or left knee disability related to his active service and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the submission of additional service treatment records that were not previously considered in the previous denial. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any diagnosed low back disability.

The Veteran does not have service-connected disabilities that qualify him for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification or a new examination regarding service connection claims for low back injury, PTSD, and loss of peripheral vision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities do not warrant ratings greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference Board hearing at the RO. The issues include service connection claims and initial evaluation requests.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable prior to February 24, 2003 due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date for a TDIU is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, cervical spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a disability rating greater than 10 percent prior to January 27, 2009, and greater than 20 percent thereafter, for low back pain.