Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and he was granted a separate compensable rating for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. The appeal related to these issues has been resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, was not related to service or a service-connected condition. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to lack of evidence showing the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of an extraschedular rating and a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and degenerative changes are related to service, granting service connection.,Service connection is granted for bilateral knee arthritis. The Board found no evidence linking this condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, left hip disability, and low back disability as secondary to his existing service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo and dizziness, as well as a rating of 30 percent for hearing loss. Service connection for back disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the unavailability of a hearing officer who participated in his previous hearing. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are denied as they are already at their maximum schedular ratings. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the ratings and TDIU claims related to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain all of his VA treatment records from January 2011 to present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied reopening of the appellant's claims for service connection for a back disorder, heart condition, and hyperthyroidism due to lack of new and material evidence.

Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy was granted.,The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis prior to September 30, 2010, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis prior to September 30, 2010, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,Since August 22, 2011, the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was rated at 30%.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which covers the orthopedic manifestations. Right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is separately rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues with the mailing address and for obtaining additional medical records related to her low back, right knee, psoriasis, and eczema claims.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate medical opinion in a previous VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and residuals of a fall to the left side, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to in-service injuries. The claim for hearing loss was also denied as there is no basis for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to inadequate medical opinion in denying service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.