Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was granted. Service connection is established for both conditions.

The claim for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and strain prior to March 5, 2018, and starting from June 1, 2018 is denied. The claim of entitlement to a higher rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine degenerative disc disease is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board found no evidence of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to an injury sustained during his active duty in the Army reserves.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative changes, lumbar hypertrophic osteoarthritis, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, SMC for loss of use of a creative organ, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are also remanded.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, and SMC for loss of use of a creative organ. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, and earlier effective date for SMC for loss of use of a creative organ. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and updated medical history.

The Veteran's request to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for low back disability is granted. The claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis and cervical spondylosis is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and stressor verification.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, to include degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease or degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, claimed as neck injury, is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, neurogenic erectile dysfunction, and right knee disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the disabilities and military service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no direct evidence linking the Veteran's current disabilities to his active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection and a compensable evaluation for her spondylosis of thoracolumbar spine, left knee pain, and right knee pain. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of the requested actions.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back sprain with degenerative joint and disc disease is rated at 60 percent for the entire appeal period, considering his symptoms including pain, functional loss, and intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the appeal period, leading to a TDIU being granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar strain with mild spondylosis and mild degenerative disc disease at L3-L4 prior to December 16, 2017 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar strain with mild spondylosis and mild degenerative disc disease at L3-L4 from December 16, 2017 was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to a need for another examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities did not occur during service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The post-service medical records indicate that his current back and neck problems are related to work-related injuries.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at MPNBH on October 29, 2015 were denied as the condition was not of such a nature that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health and VA facilities were feasibly available to treat his condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy require further examination to determine their current severity, as well as his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation beyond 10 percent prior to December 6, 2016 and 20 percent thereafter.