Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies, including not issuing a statement of the case on the issue of character of discharge. The issues related to service connection and total disability rating are inextricably intertwined with this matter.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for lumbar strain and thoracic paraspinal strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from various healthcare providers.

The Veteran's combined disability rating has been increased to 80 percent, and several original service connection claims are pending. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination considering all of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals seeking increased ratings for his immersion foot of bilateral lower extremities. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from specific dates and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar disability and varicose veins have been reopened, but denied on the merits.,Service connection has been granted for right foot pain.

The Board found that the Veteran's hip and lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active military service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for sores on both sides of the feet. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen all other claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for osteoarthritic changes of the lumbosacral spine has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU rating is pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as her combined disability rating throughout the period on appeal has been at least 70 percent, meeting the schedular requirement for a TDIU. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a cervical spine disorder to allow for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not present in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a back disability has been denied.

The Veteran's neurological abnormalities (radiculopathy) of the lower extremities, including right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, are rated at 10 percent for the period from August 24, 2005 to October 31, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for wrist, hip and back disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, right leg, and low back disorders are not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions. As such, he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU and he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities even when his employment history, educational and vocational attainment, and all other factors having a bearing on the issue have been considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized as lumbar spondylosis and degenerative arthritis, was granted a 20 percent rating effective from March 19, 2012.

The Veteran's low back disorder resulted in significant functional impairment, including limited range of motion and incapacitating episodes. The Board granted a higher rating for the period from December 15, 2009.