Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need to obtain SSA disability benefits information.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is attributable to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, back disability, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have all been rated at 20 percent since the appeal period began. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the lumbosacral spine and impairment of the sciatic nerve are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability, rated as 20 percent disabling prior to April 24, 2006, and 40 percent thereafter, is not found to warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and depression, left lower extremity radiculopathy, depression, a cervical spine disability, and right and left shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded due to conflicting evidence from VA examinations. His GERD is also remanded as new symptoms have been reported.

The Veteran's lower back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 10 percent from April 26, 2016. The appeal for a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability is denied.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted at 20 percent effective April 26, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for low back and bilateral hip disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and either service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disorder is granted. The claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the issue of service connection for a back disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's disability rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 10, 2017. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date is denied.,The Veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, effective November 3, 2014. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, right knee condition, and low back condition have been granted. The claim for an umbilical hernia is denied.,A remand has been ordered to obtain VA treatment records and SSA records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination regarding his low back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of clear evidence to rebut the presumption of regularity that applies to VA's date-stamping of incoming mail, and thus, the earliest possible effective date is June 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the lay and medical evidence are in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current tinnitus was incurred during service, resolving doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease/degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve impairment of the left lower extremity is granted a 40% evaluation, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for lumbosacral strain and sciatic nerve impairment of the left lower extremity remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain has not manifested with forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, and there is no evidence of favorable ankylosis. Therefore, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and bilateral pes planus due to inadequate examinations. The VA is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any right knee disorder, as well as the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral foot disabilities.