Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Additionally, a TDIU evaluation must be addressed in connection with this appeal.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus is dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it does not result in limitation of motion or neurological symptoms.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development due to the lack of substantial compliance with prior remands. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his back disability is being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond November 31, 2007 for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease L4-L5 was denied. The current evaluation of 40 percent is maintained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the current record regarding whether his current condition is related to service. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to less than full compliance with the terms of its June 2010 remand order, including failure to obtain a VA examination and provide the Veteran with additional medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is now pending again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to an initial rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions. The Veteran needs to be provided with new VA examinations addressing all relevant symptoms and etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service-connected left foot disability and whether any additional back-related disabilities found are service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected spondylosis of the lumbar spine was initially rated at 10 percent prior to May 2, 2006 and has been granted a higher rating since then. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back injury has been reopened and is granted. The claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The claim for an increased rating for left ankle sprain with persistent peroneal tendinitis and pes planus remains pending.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar condition was evaluated at a 10 percent disability rating from May 29, 2007, to February 28, 2010, and from June 1, 2010, to December 15, 2010.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability, which he claims is related to his active service and/or his service-connected right knee disability. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's substantive appeal was timely filed, and thus his appeals for increased ratings and service connection are granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Veteran's current low back disability is found to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's back disability was originally service connected in May 1999 and rated at 40 percent. The RO reduced the rating to 40 percent effective January 1, 2010 without considering applicable regulations for reductions of more than five years. As a result, the reduction is void ab initio.

The Veteran's bronchitis and bilateral hearing loss were denied service connection due to lack of evidence.,Service connection for low back disorder was also denied as there is no established link between the condition and service period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with asthmatic bronchitis, pain disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with Crohn's disease, and allergic rhinitis, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.