Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and medical opinions to address the issues of increased rating for residuals of a left foot fracture, service connection for low back disability, and service connection for acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation and earlier effective date for the cervical spine disability were both granted. The effective date is set at July 13, 2011.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right lower extremity radiculopathy with foot drop is currently rated at 60 percent. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with disc protrusion is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back strain, with degenerative changes at L5-S1, is etiologically related to active service and grants service connection for this condition. The heart condition issue remains pending as it pertains to a heart murmur which may be considered a congenital defect or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability and any associated neurological disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his low back and neck disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examination and treatment records, as well as the need for a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine disorders have been rated at 40 percent since December 21, 2009. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, heart disability, damaged teeth, bilateral shoulder disability, and low back disability are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder and arthritis were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disability was aggravated during his second and third periods of service, leading to a grant of service connection for this condition. The back disability is also presumed to have been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating under VA compensation standards.,The Veteran has established service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner concluded that the current conditions are not related to any aspect of active duty service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability during or within one year after service, and the medical opinions were against finding any relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability on the basis that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with mallet toes second through fourth toes on the right foot.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development due to inadequate VA examination reports and issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to evaluate the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knee, lumbar spine/L5-S-1, and postoperative right ankle.