Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his active service, but does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for a psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that an increased rating beyond this level is not warranted.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had a history of headaches during service, which later developed into migraines and have continued since then.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not establish an in-service injury or event resulting in these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition, an initial increased rating for lumbar discogenic disease, and an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for TDIU was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, rib/breast bone disorder, and chronic headaches secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar degenerative arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and a mood disorder. The Veteran's back pain is believed to have occurred due to a personal assault during service, which may have aggravated his existing condition. The VA needs to obtain relevant medical records from San Diego NMC for both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA). The claim will be reconsidered after verifying these periods and determining if the July 26, 1967 car accident occurred during a period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. If so, an addendum opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is related to this incident.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service personnel records, VA treatment records, and SSA records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to address any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine condition is remanded due to unclear evidence of current diagnosis and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and low back disability, finding that there was no current diagnosis of either condition related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spondylosis, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and laparoscopic scar associated with hiatal hernia with GERD render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, erectile dysfunction, skin condition as due to undiagnosed illness, obstructive sleep apnea, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, low back condition, hypertension, and right shoulder condition.,However, some of these issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar myositis and degenerative spine disease are rated at 20 percent prior to July 15, 2015, and 20 percent thereafter. The claim is granted for a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for deep vein thrombosis, right hip and knee conditions, and a reduction in the rating of his lumbar spine disability have been granted. The right knee condition is now considered secondary to his service-connected left knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent throughout the appeal period. Service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, knee, and foot disabilities, as well as cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes of the thoracic and lumbar spine has been reopened, and it is granted. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of a back condition as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for bilateral knee, low back, and head injuries due to incomplete records.