Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, headache disability, and sleep apnea are all service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been granted, with the exception of his cervical spine disability claim which is still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee), bilateral shin splints, and elbow osteoarthritis. The remaining claims of service connection for sleep apnea, TBI including headaches and seizures, and a disorder of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, back disorder, neck disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. However, the Veteran's military service is not shown to have aggravated his pre-existing left ear hearing loss or caused any of these conditions.

The VA reduced the Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from 40% to 20%, effective June 1, 2013, based on improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has not met the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.,The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia has been manifested by persistently recurring epigastric distress, pyrosis (heartburn), reflux, regurgitation, and nausea. However, it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating as there is no evidence of dysphagia, substernal pain or pain in the arm/shoulder, weight loss, hematemesis, melena, or anemia.,The Veteran's psoriasis has not covered more than five percent of his entire body and less than five percent of exposed areas. Therefore, it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, skin problems/disorder, heel spurs, headaches/migraines, dizziness/vertigo, leg pain, CFS, and lumbar spine disability. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a current disability in most cases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current back disability and did not have one during his period of active duty. Therefore, service connection for a back disorder is denied.

The Board denied service connection for scoliosis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot and lumbar spine disorders did not have their onset during his period of service or within one year after separation, and therefore, are not service-connected.,VA medical opinions were obtained to determine if there was a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his period of service. The VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his period of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability and sciatic nerve disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, an increased rating for PTSD, and a higher initial rating for GERD. The TDIU claim was remanded but not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with bilateral radiculopathy is granted. The claims for higher initial evaluations for other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for chronic low back pain, rated at 20 percent prior to April 25, 2014, and 40 percent from that date, is denied. The assigned ratings are consistent with the degree of thoracolumbar spine motion demonstrated by the Veteran over the course of the appeal period.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service records do not support a finding of in-service injury or noise exposure related to his current disabilities. The most probative evidence is against a finding of any current disability due to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back condition and associated peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding the presence of neurological manifestations in the lower extremities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective December 27, 2005. The rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and left shoulder disorder are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of chronicity or causation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and allergic rhinitis did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to service, thus denying his claims for service connection.