Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and left ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are related to the Appellant's military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disability may be service-connected as secondary to her service-connected osteoporosis of the thoracic spine, and a compensable rating for her osteoporosis is also needed. The TDIU claim will need further development.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 40 percent since October 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, which is required for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of imaging studies. The Veteran is requested to provide releases for private treatment records related to his lumbar spine disability and prior motor vehicle accidents, and VA treatment records should be added to the electronic claims file.

The Veteran's appeal of the calculation of his combined rating, which was assigned a 60 percent rating in July 2014, is denied. The AOJ properly calculated the combined rating based on individual ratings at that time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity and hip conditions, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The claim for lumbar degenerative disease was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain rating is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition, including any neurological manifestations such as left leg sciatica.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and to address service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as rating for low back strain with osteoarthritic changes.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee arthritis. The issues of rating the thoracolumbar spine and L5 radiculopathy, as well as entitlement to TDIU, are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back disorder, neck disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right great toe disorder due to new and material evidence received since the last final denial. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but further development is needed to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's scoliosis and thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease are service-connected as they were aggravated by her military service. Her right ear hearing loss is also service-connected, with the presumption of aggravation being upheld.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, right elbow condition, left elbow condition, and bilateral hand condition. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to known clinical diagnoses.,Service connection was not granted due to lack of evidence showing the conditions began in service or within one year of service.

The Board denied service connection for neurological disabilities of the right and left upper extremities, as well as initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection.,For residuals of head trauma, manifested as headaches, the Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed because he withdrew his claim. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for left hip tendon strain, right hip tendon strain, and low back disability manifested by pain. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examination.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU. The Court found that the Board did not have the Veteran’s entrance and separation examinations, which were necessary to determine if her lumbar spine disability was incurred in or aggravated by service. The Court also noted that the Veteran submitted additional evidence after the previous decision, so it instructed the AOJ to review this new evidence before the Board makes a determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, psychiatric disability, and back disability. The Veteran was also denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his back disability and a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that new material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of back, left knee, and right hip disabilities. The underlying claims are now remanded for further development.