Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for a low back disorder, Type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and low back disorder are not related to his military service, but granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's low back disability, including associated radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, has been rated at 20 percent since July 18, 2011. The evidence prior to that date did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for IVDS. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the Veteran's disability.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The case is now remanded to consider entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, but he is granted TDIU benefits.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence does not support that it manifested during or as a result of active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's spondylolysis existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has a chest/rib disorder and low back disorder as a result of his active service, with the current diagnoses being residual intercostal bursitis/fibrosis for the chest disorder and degenerative arthritis of the spine for the low back disorder. Service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that it first manifested during active service. The Veteran's other claims of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected left knee disability, including claims for back, hip, and knee disabilities. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a video conference hearing. Service connection for a back disorder secondary to asthma, as well as increased evaluations for asthma and bilateral cataracts are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is incurred during service and grants service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed left-sided abdominal or hip pain disability in service, and the Veteran has not provided sufficient credible evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology. Therefore, service connection for this issue is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder, but denied the claim on its merits.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back and left knee conditions, including a lack of VA examination records. The Veteran is directed to provide updated medical records and undergo an examination if necessary.