Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD, service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to PTSD, and higher initial rating for PTSD have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc disease, finding that the disability began during a period of active duty or active duty for training.

The Veteran's back strain with degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent effective June 29, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right elbow disability and lumbar disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The case is being remanded to obtain verification of the Veteran's periods of service, including ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA, and to provide an addendum opinion regarding the aggravation of his lumbar disability during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to report for a VA examination and lack of service records in Iraq.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, but did not make a final determination on any of the issues.

The reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent for thoracolumbar strain was improper, and his petition to restore the 40 percent rating is granted.

The Veteran's right knee condition, bilateral pes planus, tinnitus, and low back condition with radiculopathy have been granted service connection.,Service connection for hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from February 29, 2004 to March 17, 2005.,Effective from February 29, 2004 to March 17, 2005, the Veteran's TDIU was granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% from October 31, 2019. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion.

The Veteran's back disability was aggravated by his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.,The Veteran's headache disability was caused by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, as well as whether his sleep apnea is related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs) during service. The claims for higher evaluations and service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found that his forward flexion was not less than 30 degrees or more favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional VA records being added to the file, and the Veteran did not waive AOJ review. The issue will be returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and a back disability, finding no evidence of such conditions during active duty training (ACDUTRA) or any link to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracic spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral laminectomy residuals, degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service parachute jumps which are considered to have caused these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service. The case will be returned for further development and readjudication.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability due to new evidence received by the Veteran's representative regarding the qualifications of a VA examiner who examined him. The RO must provide this information to the Veteran and his attorney.

PTSD rating increased to 70% effective March 13, 2019.,TDIU granted with an effective date of August 26, 2020.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for left shoulder, right shoulder, lumbar spine, left hip, right hip, and knee disabilities due to additional evidence being associated with the claims file.