Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, and left arm radiculopathy. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability, including his status post L4-L5 spinal fusion with residuals, is related to service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss and lumbar spine disability were not found to be related to service. The left foot hallux valgus was found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 5, 2007. As such, an earlier effective date for the TDIU rating is denied.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 17, 2012 and granted separate evaluations for lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal is granted with the ratings maintained.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability (claimed as levoscoliosis) and sleep apnea.,There is no evidence of a preexisting scoliosis or DJD, and the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to June 11, 2012, as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% or be permanently housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his left hip, right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding no evidence of such in service or chronicity post-service. The Veteran's current low back disorder was found to be less likely related to his military service.,For the period from April 17, 2002 to March 2, 2006, the Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's current ischemic heart disease was found not to be shown as having been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability manifested with forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to approximately 75 degrees and pain on motion. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his chronic thoracolumbar spine strain.

The Veteran's TBI and chronic headaches due to head trauma have been granted service connection. The remaining issues are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding the nature of the Veteran's claimed back disability and whether it was related to service or to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must also consider whether the Veteran's obesity is due to her service-connected knee and hip disabilities.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, arthritis of the left knee, and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. The current diagnoses are not shown to be related to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no competent evidence linking any current back disability to his active or reserve service.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteochondroma of the right knee and back disorder, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The claims are granted as both conditions are found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine and gastrointestinal disorders.