Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his back disability was denied, and the effective date of TDIU remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to December 14, 2010, or effective from December 14, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's pes planus was aggravated in service and whether he currently has a back disability that is related to his pes planus.

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 10 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they have not resulted in characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once per month over the last several months.,The Veteran's thoracic back fracture residuals and chronic low back strain disabilities are both currently rated at 10 percent. The VA examinations did not show any increased severity of symptoms or manifestations, and there is no evidence of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete verification of his periods of active military service, particularly in the Tennessee Army National Guard. He is also requested to clarify when he was diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and numbness in the arms are not shown to be related to service or any presumptive exposure. The heart disorder is presumed associated with herbicide exposure, but no current diagnosis has been established.,Hypertension is also presumed associated with herbicide exposure, but no current diagnosis has been established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 5, 2012.

The Board has requested additional development to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, and low back disorders. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back conditions are not related to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to obtain VA outpatient clinical records and to consider whether new evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The VA examiner found no evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder to his service, including a 1952 injury. The examiner concluded that the disorder is more likely due to natural aging processes rather than any in-service trauma.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and folliculitis, as well as his claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating for his left knee disorder and a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and left ankle disabilities were not found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine and thoracic spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability within the meaning of VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected traumatic arthritis and degenerative disc disease L4-5 was granted. His claim for service connection for a left knee condition remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development due to insufficient evidence on the applicable theories of service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of frostbite or its residuals, blurry vision, recurrent heat stroke, drooling, whole body muscle pain and tightness, hyperglycemia, back disability, bronchitis, or vertigo. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and conducting further development of the claims.