Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's major depression is rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied. The Veteran also appealed for a TDIU but was denied as he remains employed full-time.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability. The claim for increased ratings for the right ankle disability is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability is denied as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the spine or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) lasting at least six weeks in a 12-month period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation in the December 2016 decision and failure to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's current thoracolumbar back disability is caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities. The VA needs to schedule an additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for myalgias, bilateral hearing loss disability, PTSD, a lumbosacral spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (major depressive disorder) have been denied. The Board found no current disabilities due to the claimed conditions or incidents of service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a back condition and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The appeal regarding an increased disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there was no credible evidence to support his assertion that he had ongoing chronic back pain from service. The preponderance of the evidence indicated that any current low back disability is not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic right knee sprain, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, and chronic right hip sprain.,The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's in-service injuries or events.

The Board has determined that there is relative equipoise in whether the Veteran's DJD of the right knee and DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine are caused by or related to his service-connected DJD of the right ankle. As such, the claim for secondary service connection for these conditions is granted.

The appeal seeking to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is granted. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and back disability are not related to service, but his tinnitus appeal was withdrawn. The claims for a bilateral hip disability and left eye disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle spasms of the low back, blurred vision due to cataracts (now claimed as dry eyes), sleep apnea, hypertension, and benign neoplasms of the heart were all denied. The denial was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted after it was determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 1, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease is remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The examiner must assess the current severity of his condition, including any additional loss of range of motion during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience since February 6, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for a left foot condition, right foot condition, lumbar spine disability, and chronic headaches.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or illness related to these conditions.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent, effective throughout the appeal period. The Board has remanded issues regarding his lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy for further examination and rating considerations.