Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues have been dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a right leg sciatic nerve disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted. Effective dates were not assigned for other claims due to lack of information.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's lower back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, was not incurred during his military service and is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between service and hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments, particularly regarding his claimed low back disability, neck disability, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The asthma claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for TMJ dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and a mood disorder), residuals of TBI, left hip disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and increased rating for service-connected left foot disability have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for right leg disability and reopening of service connection claim are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, including any neurological manifestations. The current rating of 10 percent will not be changed until further evaluation.

The Veteran's low back disability has been manifested by forward flexion to 80 degrees and no incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome or separately ratable associated neurological symptoms. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent for the entire increased rating period on appeal from December 9, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective November 25, 2014. The left hip disability is rated as non-compensable.

The Board finds that service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is warranted. The Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease with right lower extremity and left lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his history of back problems in and since service.

The Veteran's pudendal neuralgia was incurred in and is related to active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability is being remanded due to the need to review additional VA treatment records and ensure proper consideration of all evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim. The Board also found that there was no medical evidence linking the current low back disability to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a schedular evaluation of 50 percent for migraine headaches throughout the entire appeal period.