Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent from November 14, 2002 through December 8, 2010 and at 40 percent beginning December 9, 2010. The Board granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability was manifested by flexion to greater than 60 degrees, with pain, and combined range of motion to greater than 120 degrees. The Board found that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent were not met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, left leg, left hip, and neck disabilities as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is a residual of a TBI in service. The claims for back and neck disabilities, and hypertension secondary to PTSD were not adjudicated due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 22, 2008. He also has associated left and right lower extremity radiculopathies rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder due to an inadequate previous examination. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. Service connection for chemical sensitivities, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder, IBS, and low back disorder are granted on a presumptive basis due to Gulf War exposure. Other service connection claims remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, with a residual scar, is rated at 20 percent prior to July 20, 2017. The rating has not changed since it was initially assigned in April 2010.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence showing the condition had its onset in service or was caused by any incident during service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective prior to November 15, 2017. The appeal was granted as new and material evidence was submitted for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 28, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lower back condition and right knee condition, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hip degenerative arthritis and lumbar strain, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his knees, shoulder, and back conditions, contributed to the cause of death due to pulmonary thromboembolism.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for ingrown toenails. The Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability, as well as whether it is related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbaric spondylosis with myofascial pain, arthritis of the right hip, and tendonitis of the left hip have been granted increased disability ratings. The current effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability and back disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is REMANDED.