Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The case will also be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for consideration of an extra-schedular rating for residuals of a fracture of the left tibia and fibula.

The Board has determined that arthritis of the Veteran's lumbar spine had its onset during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted, with a 10 percent rating effective December 9, 2008. The claim for hepatitis B service connection is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of chronic lumbosacral strain, finding that his condition existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues, and no specific rating or effective date is provided.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection. The back disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or by incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during a 12 month period. Therefore, the criteria for entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 40 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and considering whether referral for an extraschedular TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective January 22, 2007. The Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent for the period from March 5, 2009 to present.

The Board found that the Veteran's injuries resulting in sleep apnea and a skin bump occurred after his active service, specifically in October 1945. As this period does not qualify as qualifying service for compensation purposes under VA regulations, the claims of service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if his combined effect of all service-connected disabilities precludes him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further medical opinions regarding his lumbosacral spine disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, which he contends is related to his right knee disability and an in-service injury. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current disorder of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded to allow for a new VA examination and additional development of his medical records, including SSA records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder, and for obtaining all pertinent treatment records from the Las Vegas VAMC. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the potential impact on the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD and thoracic and lumbar strain was denied as there is no evidence that VA received a claim prior to November 7, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including locating his Substantive Appeal and obtaining Social Security Administration records. The case will be reviewed again after the requested development.

The Veteran's HNP with lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.