Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his lumbosacral spine disability was granted, with a 40% evaluation effective August 1, 2013. Separate 10% evaluations were assigned for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's low back disability was found to not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation, with his current rating of 10% being denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for clarification of the August 2012 VA examination and additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, bilateral hip, lumbar and cervical spine, and right ankle disabilities are all service-connected as they are causally related to trauma sustained during active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has been evaluated as noncompensable from November 4, 2008 through July 25, 2011 and rated at 10 percent since July 26, 2011. The Board found that his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found the June 2013 VA examination report to be inadequate due to its failure to acknowledge earlier treatment records and discuss previous opinions.

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

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for a low back disorder, neck disorder, ED, higher initial rating for PTSD, earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, and SMC for loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lung cancer and liver metastasis were not found to be related to his service-connected conditions, including schizophrenia. The Board determined that the cause of death was not attributable to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine and right wrist disabilities were denied. The VA found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for direct service connection. The issue of secondary service connection was also addressed, but no decision was made as the evidence did not support a finding in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including USS Ranger deck logs and potential buddy statements.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the September 2009 VA examination is not adequate and requires an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all service-connected. The initial rating for GERD remains at 10 percent.