Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to new evidence provided since the final April 1969 rating decision. The Veteran now meets the criteria for service connection.

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

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, lumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD), and left leg radiculopathy have been granted service connection. A higher rating of 60 percent for CAD has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional development of records.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no actual improvement in her condition from the time of the December 2008 VA examination.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing clarifying opinions regarding service connection for psychiatric symptoms and a lumbar spine disorder, as well as the appropriate disability rating for his right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is found to be related to his service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, secondary to his right foot disability, was granted. He is also awarded a non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a separate non-compensable rating for degenerative joint disease of the left foot. The Veteran's right foot disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, back disorder, and broken tailbone. The claims were not reopened as there was no new and material evidence received to reopen the claim for a cervical spine disorder. The Board also found that there is no current diagnosis of a back disorder or broken tailbone.

The Veteran's low back disability has been manifested by flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less, and did not manifest in unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or entire spine or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome that required bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician. The Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his low back disability.

The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral strain, is considered to have started during his service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition on the basis of direct incurrence in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a left ankle disability. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims, including medical opinions linking current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, but his bilateral hip disorder was not found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's thoracic spondylosis and arthritis, and chronic low back strain due to limited range of motion without ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain, which represents the full grant of benefits sought on appeal. The claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus is being remanded to the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 40 percent for joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that throughout the entire rating period, the disability had not resulted in ankylosis or physician-prescribed bed rest.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. Separate 10 percent ratings have also been assigned for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits has been denied as he does not meet the criteria of being permanently and totally disabled from non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, left hip, and right knee disabilities are proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.