Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral strain, is considered to have started during his service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition on the basis of direct incurrence in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a left ankle disability. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims, including medical opinions linking current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, but his bilateral hip disorder was not found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's thoracic spondylosis and arthritis, and chronic low back strain due to limited range of motion without ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain, which represents the full grant of benefits sought on appeal. The claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus is being remanded to the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 40 percent for joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that throughout the entire rating period, the disability had not resulted in ankylosis or physician-prescribed bed rest.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. Separate 10 percent ratings have also been assigned for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits has been denied as he does not meet the criteria of being permanently and totally disabled from non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, left hip, and right knee disabilities are proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for hearing loss, chest pain, left and right knee disabilities, and PTSD. The evidence received since the June 2007 rating decision is new and material as it relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn with respect to the issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for healed right scaphoid fracture with residual pain and lumbar degenerative changes and strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his DDD with lumbar spine strain and prostatitis, as well as whether his scoliosis is related to service or his service-connected back disability. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of whether GERD is secondary to service-connected IBS remains under consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, as there was no evidence of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less or favorable ankylosis. The current 20 percent rating adequately reflects his disability level and symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, right arm and headache/dizziness disabilities, back and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral hip, hand, and elbow disabilities are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a herniated lumbar disc with left foot numbness and weakness, to include as due to service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded for additional development. His claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral knee and low back disabilities, as they are not related to his active duty or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are related to service due to continuous symptoms since separation from active duty.