Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the provision of appropriate notice regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury. The Board finds that the Veteran's symptoms are more likely related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied service connection for an upper back disability and cervical spine disability, finding that new evidence did not establish a nexus to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are presumed to have been incurred post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for a low back disability and therefore, service connection cannot be granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also denied as there is no evidence of such a condition in the record.

The Veteran's hepatitis B and Dupuytren's contracture in both hands have been granted service connection. The Board has found that the Veteran had these conditions prior to his entry into service, but they were not noted at any time during service.,Regarding the right wrist disability, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the right wrist from March 1, 2014 onward. The Board found that this condition is related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities were found to warrant increased ratings of 20 percent prior to January 3, 2014.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the denial of service connection for tinnitus and a back disability in a March 2015 statement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence is against a finding of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was evaluated as 10% prior to August 15, 2016 and as 20% thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, memory loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to service. The VA examiner found no evidence of a current disability in-service or within one year post-service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right foot disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection for his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and the right and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with it are both rated at 40 percent. The Board found that these ratings were appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been granted a separate 20 percent rating for each leg, with symptoms of moderate constant pain; severe intermittent pain; moderate paresthesias and/or dysesthesias; and moderate numbness. The disability picture most nearly approximates moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current manifestations of his back disability, including pain points and functional impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and skin disorder. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed spondylosis of the lumbar spine is caused by his service-connected left knee disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disability secondary to service-connected left knee disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is not causally or etiologically related to active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.