Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied, but the Board acknowledged that he had raised an informal claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and remanded the case to consider this issue.

The Board found that a lumbar spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for a low back disability, effective from February 11, 2012, was granted. The Veteran is now rated at 40 percent disabling for his low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current arthritis of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine is not related to his service, including any in-service injuries. The VA examiners concluded it was less likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA spine examination to be conducted by a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic spine surgeon. The examiner is requested to assess whether the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with spina bifida occulta, is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address her current orthopedic and neurologic manifestations, including urinary incontinence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO in San Diego for a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating and service connection are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to report for VA examinations and to ensure proper notification of examination scheduling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and pulmonary nodules are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including periods of active duty and National Guard service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically degenerative joint disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, which contributed to his suicide. The Board finds in favor of granting service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and left knee disabilities were granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, effective March 3, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and dysthymic disorder with alcohol dependence are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU since March 28, 2006 and his unemployability is due to the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability did not manifest during service and is not related to his active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for a back disability is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed low back disorder did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no evidence of chronic symptoms during active duty service, and the Veteran's statements regarding the onset of his condition were inconsistent.