Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to address the questions of whether the Veteran's claimed carpal tunnel syndrome and back disability had their clinical onset during active service or is otherwise the result of a disease or injury in service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service-connected right foot disability, but more evidence is needed. The increased rating for the right foot disability remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to new evidence submitted after the most recent supplemental statement of the case and because his PTSD symptoms may have worsened. Additionally, a VA examination is needed for both PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that new evidence supports a potential nexus to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,Service connection is granted for cervical spine disability as secondary to service-connected left shoulder trauma with chronic peritendinitis, traumatic.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, anemia, lupus, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants an initial increased disability rating of 50 percent for the period prior to December 1, 2010. For the period from December 1, 2010, the criteria for a higher disability rating are not met. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a low back disability and right ankle disability. The claim for defective vision remains denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability but denied all other issues. The Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his military service, and he does not have PFB or active left biceps femoris tendonitis.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine, to include status post disc removal surgery with residual scar, was found to be permanently aggravated by his service-connected erector spinal muscles strain. The right knee disability is considered secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to a recent Court ruling requiring that VA examinations include joint testing for pain on both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are not found to warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.,There is no indication that either condition has been linked to any specific exposure basis such as burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War Syndrome, or other presumptive service connection criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot and lumbar spine disorders were not incurred in service or due to any incident of service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for recurrent tension headaches has been granted, and he is now receiving a 30 percent disability rating. His TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine with spondylolisthesis and canal stenosis, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service. The issue of a TDIU prior to August 1, 2016 is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have currently diagnosed disabilities of the back or legs, and therefore service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and low back disability, finding that these conditions clearly existed prior to her second period of active duty. The Board also found that the Veteran's adjustment disorder is not related to her lumbar spine injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability. The issue remains on appeal as it pertains to the merits of the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar strain was found to be rated appropriately at 10 percent, the left ovarian cyst did not warrant a compensable rating, hysterectomy and bladder prolapse were not related to service.