Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for depression, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are at least as likely as not due to his military experiences. The low back disability issue is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy and/or neuropathy, and sleep apnea. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lower back disorder during service or within one year after service, and concluded that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his in-service injury. The claim was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DDD with spondylolisthesis and right lower extremity radiculitis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries. The decision also addresses whether these conditions are secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, and difficulty in understanding complex commands. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, left thigh disorder, chest pain, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right foot disorder. However, service connection is granted for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder may be related to service, but more evidence is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and additional development of the record, as the current examination was inadequate in evaluating the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative joint disease and chrondrocalcinosis, finding that the conditions were aggravated by active military service. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disk disease is currently rated at 20 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board determined that a timely substantive appeal was not filed following the July 2008 rating decision denying service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, lumbar spine disability, and tailbone disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals, compression fracture, T12 with arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including a disc herniation at L5-S1, is likely due to an injury sustained during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in November 1987. As such, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for a lumbar spine disability have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to military service. The claim will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.