Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right hip osteoarthritis were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back condition and his in-service fall off a truck.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, lower back disability, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The disabilities are considered to have originated during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back disability, neck disability, and dental disability due to incomplete records and inadequate examination findings. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for private medical records and updated VA outpatient records. Additionally, he will require a VA spine examination to address his in-service injury and current diagnoses, as well as a VA dental examination to clarify any current diagnoses and their etiologies.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, panic disorder, and depressive disorder). The low back disability is considered to be due to deconditioning including excessive tone in the lower extremities and weak abdominal muscles. Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as it is related to service.

The Veteran's retroactive payment based on a CRDP adjustment for the period from August 1, 2011 to October 31, 2012 was calculated and awarded correctly.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is denied as the evidence does not support credible reports of an in-service injury.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spondylosis prior to February 8, 2016; and 20 percent thereafter is denied. The Board finds that his symptoms do not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spondylosis since February 8, 2016 is denied as there is no evidence of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less; nor has favorable ankylosis been shown.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected neck disorder or left knee peripatellar bursitis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to an in-service injury. The claim was reopened due to new evidence of a fall during active duty.

The Veteran's low back disability has increased in severity, and he contests the validity of a VA examination report. The Board finds that an accurate assessment is needed for both his current back disability and related issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for joint pain, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disorder and an initial rating of 20 percent for his degenerative joint disease status-post lumbar fusion. The appeal is remanded to determine the Veteran's employability status.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to May 23, 2014. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for his low back disability and dismissed the TDIU claim due to SMC already being in place.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, left knee disability, and low back disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder was granted at a 20 percent level, while his initial rating for DJD of the lumbar spine with grade I spondylolisthesis remains at a non-compensable level.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records, particularly from the Veteran's National Guard service and his active duty periods. The case will be returned after further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, including any additional range of motion loss due to repetitive use over time and during flare-ups. The issues of higher staged disability ratings for these conditions are inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a lower back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with depression, a headache disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are granted. The claim for residuals of a cervical spine injury is reopened but denied due to lack of evidence showing current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. Service connection was denied for a back disorder, heart disorder, prostate cancer, and diabetes.