Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back disability is not service-connected, and thus denied his claim. The issue of increased rating for dysthymia prior to January 21, 2016 remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's back disability, claiming as lumbar paravertebral radiculitis. The issue of recognition of K.B-C., the Veteran's daughter, as a helpless child for VA benefits was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a back disability, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition and the weight of the evidence shows that his current back disability is less likely caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities did not become manifest until many years after discharge from service and are not shown to be etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to June 7, 2011 and at 20 percent since then. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were met as of June 7, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and tinnitus. Service connection was also denied for a low back disorder and headaches (claimed as residuals of a broken nose).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for an increased rating for GAD remains pending, as does the claim for service connection for a neurological condition.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, effective June 7, 2012. The disability has not resulted in ankylosis or recurrent subluxation/lateral instability.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his back disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted, with the lumbar spine DDD rated at 20 percent effective March 10, 2009. The radiculopathy of both lower extremities was each assigned a 20 percent rating effective March 10, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disorder is rated at 40 percent prior to September 2, 2015, and his tension headaches are rated at 50 percent. These ratings meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities have been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request. The Board has dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, Barrett's esophagus disorder, gastritis, and back disorder are not service-connected. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of GERD which may be related to his in-service exposure to Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar disc disease is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to any current disability. The claims for higher ratings for asthma, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, right lower extremity sciatic nerve impairment, left lower extremity sciatic nerve impairment, and bilateral foot sprain are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional examinations.