Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's back condition, including bulging disc at L5-S1 with bilateral radiculopathy at L5-S1, manifested in service and is attributable to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and any SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran will be notified of these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine strain, claimed as neck pain, and thoracolumbar spine strain, claimed as back pain, are etiologically related to his active duty service.,However, there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 28, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 50% evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to May 31, 2011, for the award of dependent compensation for his spouse and child. The decision stated that VA did not receive evidence within a year of either event or become aware of their existence before May 31, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain service treatment records, VA and private treatment records, and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability and skin disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lower back disability and to determine if he has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations, as well as a request for SSA disability benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disorder and back disorder were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The claim for increased rating for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to new evidence of worsening.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his military service and did not manifest within one year of his discharge from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability, to include degenerative disc disease, that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder in July 1974. The Veteran applied to reopen his claim on May 31, 2011 and was granted service connection at 10 percent effective that date. The Board found no basis for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected low back strain with degenerative disc changes.

The Veteran's low back disability is related to service and granted.,There is no current diagnosis of a nerve condition in the lower extremities, thus denying claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected status post lumbar surgery with residual L5-S1 disc space narrowing has been rated at 10 percent since June 1, 2006. Throughout the rating period, his disability was characterized by pain in the lower back that limited his range of motion but did not result in any additional functional loss or impairment.

The Board has found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a back disorder. The Veteran's current back exam was normal, and there is no medical evidence showing he had a back disability at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder has been rated at 10 percent since the onset of her service-connected disability. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence showing forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees, or a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees.