Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including increased ratings for low back strain and right hip strain, a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction, and initial ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran also raised a claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's back disability is service connected as it occurred during his military service and has persisted since.

The Veteran's low back conditions, diagnosed as lumbar facet arthropathy and lumbar spondylosis, were found to have begun in service and continued after separation. The Board granted service connection for these conditions based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent. The right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a skin condition is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an increased level of SMC based on need for higher level of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issue of bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded cases involving lumbar spine, left foot, right foot, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders and a lumbar spine disability, but denied his claim for service connection for nerve damage to the left forearm. The Board found that there was new and material evidence to support these claims, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee arthritis, right ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, and left epididymal cyst were not granted initial compensable ratings. The service-connected obstructive sleep apnea was granted a rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, and spondylosis are not rated higher than 20 percent.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by the current medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left hip condition, both claimed as arthritis of the lower back and neck respectively, secondary to his service-connected right hip condition. The cervical condition remains under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from his Marine Corps Reserve service and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide private chiropractic treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and head injury with headaches and memory loss have been reopened. However, the Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.,Service connection was denied for neck disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, PTSD, anxiety).

The Board has restored a 40 percent rating for the service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective from January 1, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, coronary artery disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and origin of her low back, right knee, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as incomplete vocational rehabilitation folders. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations for her lumbar spine and left knee disabilities.