Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a left eye disorder. The Veteran's low back disorder is also remanded for further examination and opinion. Other claims are referred to the RO.

The claim for service connection of a low back disability has been reopened and is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and migraine headaches associated with cervical spine disability are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, right leg radiculopathy, and right eye blindness due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses include degenerative arthritis and osteoporosis of his spine with associated right lower extremity radiculopathy and neurogenic claudication, and blindness in his right eye. He contends that these conditions are related to an injury he sustained during service. A VA examination is needed to determine if the current disabilities had their clinical onset during service or are otherwise related to any incident in service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began in or were related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back strain prior to July 26, 2016 was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability more closely approximated the criteria for a 20 percent rating. From July 26, 2016 onwards, he received a 20 percent rating based on forward flexion of 50 degrees and no additional limitations after repetitive use.

The Board has remanded two issues: the initial rating for degenerative lumbar disc disease and the TDIU claim. The Veteran's treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and vocational rehabilitation records are needed to support these claims.

The Board has decided that additional evidence should be considered to determine if the Veteran's claims for service connection are valid, as some of his conditions were not properly addressed in previous decisions.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on the evidence provided. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted as the lumbar spine did not demonstrate forward flexion to less than 30 degrees or favorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's GERD is not service-connected.,Prior to October 25, 2016, the Veteran's lumbar disability was rated at 20 percent and denied an increased rating.,Effective from August 26, 2009, for right lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for low back strain and remanded the issues of service connection for a left knee disorder, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and IVDS. The Veteran is also in receipt of Social Security Administration disability benefits but his SSA records have not been associated with the file.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat feet, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease are all granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injuries, and therefore grants service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was increased to a 70% rating effective September 29, 2011. The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 2, 2012 for the TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected left knee and low back disabilities, as well as other issues. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The appeals for service connection and ratings related to the Veteran's liver disorder, hypertension, anxiety disorder, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder and opioid pain medications. The claims for left hip disability, right hip disability, bilateral ocular disability, respiratory disability, hypogonadism with erectile dysfunction, skin condition, recurrent sprains of the left ankle, recurrent sprains of the right ankle, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, status post left foot tendon release with benign tumor of the plantar surface with plantar fasciitis, and status post right foot tendon release with benign tumor of the plantar surface with plantar fasciitis are all denied. The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for tension-migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and review, including service connection claims and an earlier effective date claim. The Veteran's appeal includes multiple service connection claims and one related to the effective date of additional compensation based on having a dependent spouse.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and back disability render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 20, 2012.