Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, effective January 24, 2013. The Veteran's claims for other conditions remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain warrants a disability rating of 40 percent from August 22, 2009 to September 30, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, finding that it is related to his active service. The right ankle disability claim and TDIU issue are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's low back disability was found to have been manifested by forward flexion of the lumbar spine at 45 degrees, with pain and lack of endurance. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to February 12, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural issues, including the need to obtain private medical records and employment records.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the earliest time permitted. The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and lumbar strain, as well as special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, are currently before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing and the need to ascertain his current address.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the Veteran's duty status during the period of his reported low back injury, and to obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that there are no current disabilities for any of the claimed conditions, and thus service connection is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral ankle and wrist disorders, lumbar spine disorder, tinnitus, and somnambulism. The decision found that there was no evidence of chronic or compensable disabilities during service or within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, was incurred during active service due to a motor vehicle accident in 1971. As such, the claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and psychiatric disabilities are service-connected, with no issues remaining unresolved. The hearing testimony and medical records support these findings.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee scar, but denied service connection for low back disability and left knee disability other than the scar. The Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee disability is addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is etiologically related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.,Regarding bilateral hearing loss, the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, neck disability, and psychiatric disability are service-connected. The claims for a TDIU rating have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diabetes mellitus, and COPD are not related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his claimed right shoulder, left shoulder, left wrist, index and middle fingers, right knee, right ankle, bilateral foot disorder (including cold injury residuals), or low back disorders. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar disc disease was denied, and service connection for bilateral sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy of the lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected lumbar disc disease was granted. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Board found that the cause of death, subdural hematoma due to blunt head trauma, was not service-connected as it did not result from a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's PTSD and other disabilities were not determined to have contributed substantially or materially to his death.