Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have onset in service and is therefore granted service connection. The Board also granted the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and residual scarring associated with a history of collapsed left lung.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and right toe disabilities were denied by the RO in October 2009, with no further development or reconsideration of these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disability and right hip replacement.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The appeal is not granted yet as it requires additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence to support a grant prior to February 2, 1998.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, degenerative disc disease, is attributable to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded as the Board finds that separate examinations are needed to determine if any of these conditions is related to his in-service injury. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's service-connected spondylosis/lumbar disc syndrome is rated at 20 percent, effective March 27, 2012. The appeal for higher ratings has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decisions were made on any of the individual claims.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability was manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 90 degrees with pain at 60 degrees, warranting a 20 percent disability rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability, which he claims is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Board finds that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from November 16, 2009. The Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The examiner concluded that any injury in service resolved with no residual disability at separation and did not establish a link between the current back disorder and service.,Service connection was also denied for hypertension, as there was no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease status post laminectomy and fusion is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an additional clothing allowance based on use of a left knee brace was denied because the regulation does not allow multiple clothing allowances for wear and tear to distinct types of articles of clothing, as he already received three allowances for other appliances or medications.