Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective from August 17, 2015. Service connection for residuals of a vasectomy has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was denied, and the earlier effective date claim for TDIU was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has determined that the appellant's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his in-service helicopter crashes. The preponderance of the evidence supports the denial of both claims.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and remand are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for an examination regarding his cervical and lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and her other conditions do not warrant a higher rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and medical records from a non-VA provider. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective March 15, 2010. The initial ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both granted at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increases in ratings for his low back and left knee disabilities are denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either disability at any time.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the September 2008 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss is final, and no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional examinations. The appeals are now pending again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, concluding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the issue of an annual clothing allowance due to wear and tear on clothing caused by service-connected back and knee disabilities. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining a medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for low back and right knee disabilities as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptoms since service, and the medical opinions were against a link to service.

The Veteran's current depression is caused by his active duty service and he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for extraschedular ratings for his bilateral knee disability and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as his claim for TDIU due to his failure to attend VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and left inguinal hernia have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for urinary frequency, right hip strain, left hip strain, lumbosacral strain, right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and left foot bunion, as well as a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes lasting four weeks or more.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service, including as a result of concussive injury from documented IED explosions.