Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of compression fractures, T4-T7, with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all pertinent records are considered in the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's conditions did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled hearing and because he has presented good cause for missing the hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling another hearing at the RO.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination. The Veteran's low back condition is being considered for service connection as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are not related to his period of honorable active service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and excisions of basal cell carcinoma were denied.,Higher initial ratings were not granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, or excisions of basal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lumbosacral strain, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete records.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to April 6, 2011 and the Board finds this rating more accurately reflects his condition over the past four to five years. The issue of TDIU has been raised by the record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, but denied his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder. The TDIU issue is also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a new VA examination to address the adequacy of the previous one. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed right knee and low back disorders are not causally related to his service-connected right ankle disability, and are not aggravated by it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar degenerative disc disease and chronic bilateral eye ocular toxoplasmosis residuals, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment during the period from January 15, 2000 to September 16, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting statements and lack of medical records, including a 2004 surgical report.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbosacral strain with post-operative herniated disc repair at L5-7 and degenerative disc disease was denied. The current rating is 20 percent, effective from September 23, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bruised kidney, and pneumonitis. The Veteran did not have chronic low back symptoms in service or continuous low back symptoms since service separation. A currently diagnosed low back disability is not related to service. The Veteran did not exhibit symptoms or a disability related to a kidney disorder in service. A currently diagnosed kidney disorder is not etiologically related to service. The Veteran was treated for an acute episode of pneumonitis in service which resolved. The Veteran does not have currently diagnosed pneumonitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support his contention that he incurred or aggravated this condition during military service.