Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, migraine headaches, and seizure disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected upper back disability is being remanded due to insufficient findings from a previous VA examination. He will be scheduled for another VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has directed a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, including consideration of his service injury and post-service treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee and low back disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The claims were reopened due to new evidence showing current diagnoses of arthritis in both knees and degenerative changes in the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is also rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 50 percent prior to January 5, 2017, but not for a higher rating beginning that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and TDIU based on his lumbar spine disability must be remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (low back disability), stomach disability, esophagus disability, and cervical spine disability are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a left total knee replacement is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for anxiety disorder prior to February 27, 2017, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a cyst along the left posterior inferior glenohumeral joint with irregularity of the posterior labrum and chronic left shoulder pain, tinnitus, and right knee strain and chondromalacia. The back disability was denied as there is no current evidence of a back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is being remanded for low back and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a low back disability, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee and hip disabilities. Additional medical opinions are needed to clarify this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for bilateral tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the issues of low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and polyneuropathies of fingertips are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances were denied as the topical anti-inflammatory cream and back brace did not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance under VA regulations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was found to not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating prior to August 5, 2015; and not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent or 40 percent rating from August 5, 2015 to August 11, 2016. The appeal is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, both determined to be related to service.,Secondary service connection is also granted for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as it is found to be due to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all found to be service-connected. The low back disorder is linked to an injury sustained during a period of active duty for special work in April 1993. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are believed to have developed during the Veteran's active service from May 1985 to June 1986.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for low back disability is granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding the right knee disability.

The Veteran's left tendon tear was granted service connection, while the claims for bilateral shin splints, frostbite on hands and feet, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as incurred in service.,Service connection for headaches, to include migraine headaches, is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection for low back disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral hip disability was denied. The Veteran is already receiving a 40% rating for her degenerative disc disease, which precludes any increase in rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. For her bilateral hip disability, she is already receiving separate ratings for limitation of flexion (10%) and extension (20%).