Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran requested a video conference hearing but withdrew his request. The Board has recharacterized the claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine more broadly to a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran indicated through his representative that he wanted to withdraw the issue on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current state of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and need for a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and type II diabetes mellitus. The VA audiological examination indicated that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was also denied for type II diabetes mellitus as there is no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a current back condition that he contends is related to his military service. The Board has determined that another VA examination is needed in order to address the Veteran's contentions and obtain additional records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's advanced degenerative conditions and pathology in his cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine were caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO increased his back disability rating to 20 percent effective October 3, 2011. The Veteran was not granted any other benefits.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including residuals of a lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, was not found to warrant a higher rating prior to October 30, 2013. From that date onward, the disability did not meet criteria for a higher than 20% rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and associating all outstanding VA treatment records with the claims file.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the lumbar spine disability was granted and he is now receiving a 20 percent evaluation, effective from August 17, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities manifested by painful motion from September 4, 2009 to May 11, 2014. A 10 percent rating is granted for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees during this period.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the service connection for a low back condition, and as such, the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease at L5-S1, to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine conditions were found to have onset during active service, with the Board granting service connection for these disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck and back disabilities did not manifest during or as a result of active military service. The evidence suggested possible pre-existing conditions, but no clear and unmistakable evidence was provided to rebut this presumption.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at 30 degrees or less with favorable ankylosis, is rated as 40 percent disabling for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, with a current combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, and further examination is needed as the Veteran is currently incarcerated.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals on both issues before the Board, and as a result, the cases are dismissed.