Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted secondary service connection for a neurological deficit of the left leg, which is related to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The issue of a higher initial rating for right shoulder labral tear and surgical repair with ongoing residuals symptoms of pain was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the decision being issued.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity popliteal nerve injury with foot drop is rated at the highest available rating without violating the Amputation Rule. His SFW scars are not compensably rated due to their static nature.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for gastritis and increased ratings for sinusitis, chronic lumbosacral strain, right leg shin splints, left leg shin splints, and right elbow ulnar neuropathy. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Board denied service connection for TBI claimed as brain trauma with stroke, migraine headaches, cervical spine disorder, upper arm neuropathy and radiculopathy, low back disorder, and GERD. The Veteran's disabilities were not shown in service or within one year thereafter, and are not otherwise etiologically related to the Veteran's service.,The Board found that there was no evidence of a TBI during service and provided a negative nexus opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the inadequacies of a previous VA examination and obtain updated medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar back condition was incurred during service and granted service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for another VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected chronic low back pain/strain with L5-S1 disc degeneration and herniation, status post microdiskectomy, with subjective radiculopathy. The case will be reviewed after completing the necessary development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, as evidenced by in-service noise exposure and current hearing impairment. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's hand tremors are caused by the medications used to treat his service-connected disabilities, and he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not initially manifest in service and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back, left knee, left shoulder, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is due to injury superimposed upon his congenital scoliosis during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's back disorder, pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are all found to be related to service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the manifestations of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The TDIU issue will also be remanded as it may be influenced by the outcome of the lumbar spine claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues are whether he is entitled to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and if his back disability is secondary to his foot condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. The cervical strain claim is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining reserve service records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, bilateral knee, and right shoulder disorders are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or an in-service injury.