Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current lumbar spine disorder due to an in-service injury, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right foot disability. The claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left foot disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was granted. The initial compensable rating claim for left ear hearing loss was denied. The issue of service connection for a left knee disability is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issues of service connection for right ankle strain and low back disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability and radiculopathy, and has remanded the case to consider entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected back disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions caused him to become obese.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted it. The Veteran's PTSD is remanded for further evaluation, as are his claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus (secondary to left ear hearing loss).

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for lumbar traumatic arthritis and hiatal hernia due to insufficient evidence from previous VA examinations. The Veteran needs new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lateral epicondylitis and a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar DDD due to lack of evidence supporting these claims, including failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his knee and back disabilities, as well as a vocational counselor opinion regarding his TDIU claim. The claims will be reconsidered after these examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 1, 2011 to February 3, 2013 was granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his post-surgical scars was dismissed. The Board granted an initial compensable rating of 20 percent for four painful post-surgical scars associated with lumbar spine disability and an additional initial compensable rating of 10 percent for one unstable and painful post-surgical scar.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, the highest available rating based on limitation of motion under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran’s RLE disability (right ilioinguinal neuralgia status post right inguinal herniorrhaphy) is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, which represents the highest available rating based on incomplete paralysis of the ilio-inguinal nerve under DC 8530.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from August 17, 2010 forward due to her service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered her unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolisthesis of L-5 sacrum was reopened and granted. The claims for stomach condition, left knee disability, right knee disability, and residuals of TBI were denied. The case is remanded for further review on the diabetes mellitus, type II associated with PTSD with depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20% from June 22, 2009 to June 7, 2011 and denied for an increased rating. From June 7, 2011 forward, the disability was rated at 40% and also denied for an increased rating.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for a low back disorder and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left rotator cuff tear due to lack of new and material evidence, and because the Veteran's condition preexisted VA treatment.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities. Service connection was also denied for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a stomach condition.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to insufficient rationale provided by VA examiners and incomplete medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis and remanded the issue of service connection for lower back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee, bilateral foot, and lower back disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.