Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging for a sleep apnea examination, and scheduling an appropriate back disability and right thigh nerve examination.

The Veteran's back disability, evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to December 16, 2010, is now rated at 40 percent effective from that date.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent effective January 8, 2007, based on the evidence showing increased problems with his condition in the year prior to the claim for an increase.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and the etiology of his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back disorder, asthma, PTSD, knee disorders, ankle disorders, shoulder disorders, bilateral pes planus, and hypertension have been granted with initial disability ratings effective October 1, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's congenital defects of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, shoulder, and pectoral muscles were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss, dental condition, and back condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating or service connection. The evidence showed no significant impairment in these conditions during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, PTSD, bronchitis, right knee disability, left knee disability, or bilateral plantar fasciitis that had its onset during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, PTSD with depressive disorder, and other disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 8, 2005. The effective date for the grant of TDIU is therefore set at that time.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and reconsideration on the merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete personnel records and need for further examination regarding his claimed thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The case will be reviewed again after all necessary actions are taken.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including osteoporosis and degenerative disc disease, is not related to his service or any incident therein.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and providing the Veteran with a supplemental opinion regarding his psychiatric disability claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his low back disability and associated radiculopathy was granted, with a 40% rating effective July 14, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for penile deformity with loss of erectile power is denied as there is no evidence of such condition.,Service connection for the Veteran's back disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected Reiter's syndrome, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent effective November 9, 2012. The radiculopathy of the lower extremities and dysthymia/major depressive disorder remain at their current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees prior to October 31, 2012, and by forward flexion of 30 degrees or less thereafter. The RO granted a 20 percent rating for this disability as of October 30, 2001.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, is at least as likely as not aggravated by a June 1995 injury during Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) with the Army National Guard. The claim is granted.