Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for hip and low back disorders, finding that the current conditions were not caused by or related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine DDD was denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD, was also denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 2, 2012 for the award of a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no higher rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, particularly regarding his gastrointestinal disorder, allergic rhinitis, and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and finds that it is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident, granting service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, which may be related to service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD, arthritis, and scoliosis did not originate during service, were not caused by any in-service injury, disease, disorder, or event, and the arthritis did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his pelvic fracture without lumbar spine residuals, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back injury prior to the work accident in 1982, and concluded that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disorder is not related to his active service. For the pelvic disorder, the Board determined there was no link between the condition and his active service.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities were found to not warrant ratings in excess of 20 percent. The coronary artery disease was found to warrant a rating of 100 percent prior to November 21, 2016.

The Veteran's diabetes and low back disability are being remanded for additional development. His left shoulder condition is also being remanded, but the rating assigned remains pending further examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 1, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not show an earlier effective date for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder is not directly related to her military service and does not manifest within one year of discharge. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability and found it at least as likely as not related to his active service. The claim for bilateral ear disability is remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records and need for an additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and right foot disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess memory loss and determining whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is causing his memory impairment. The TDIU claim will also be developed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of cervical spine disability, low back disability, and hypertension due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disorder and an effective date earlier than May 27, 2016, for a 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.