Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is due to an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent, effective January 16, 2010. The Board finds that the combined rating for these conditions is sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to November 1, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and multiple joint and back conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since June 23, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, status post laminectomy is rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar strain, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service and concluding that any current condition is not related to his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and increased evaluations for right knee and back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability was incurred during service and granted service connection for it.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a low back condition, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, back disability, coccyx disability, left testicle epididymitis, and right hip disability are all granted. The cases of the back, coccyx, and right hip disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disability and thoracolumbar spine disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The case will be further developed to clarify dates of Active Duty Reserve (ACDUTRA) and Indefinite Non-Academic Training and Reservist (INACDUTRA) service.

The Veteran's left achilles tendonitis is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The Board also grants the Veteran a TDIU from March 20, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the examination findings and need for clarification on functional loss during flare-ups. The Veteran's back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being evaluated again.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to June 2, 2014 due to inadequate examinations conducted during flare-ups or after repetition over time. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to address his knee and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a retrospective medical opinion to determine the severity of his low back disorder throughout the period on appeal. Additional development is necessary as the requested examination did not provide the required information.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and migraines.,The right shoulder disability and the right front tooth chipped issue are being remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claim for a rating increase for his back disability. Therefore, these issues have been remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to locate the Veteran's service treatment records and obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach ulcers, low back condition, acid reflux, sleep apnea, and atrial fibrillation. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's increased symptoms in his lower back are attributable to a non-service connected lower back disability, and the Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected low back strain is not warranted.