Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional examinations and records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, a left knee disability, and a right knee disability. The claim for service connection for a low back disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The issues include service connection for right shoulder disability, low back disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's congenital lumbosacral transitional vertebra is a disease and was present prior to service. The increase in severity during service supports the conclusion that it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disabilities have been rated based on the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The initial increased ratings were granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, including any associated neurologic abnormalities. The TDIU claim will also be remanded in conjunction with these increased rating claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back condition is not related to his service, specifically a fall in service during combat. The medical evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective June 19, 2012. The claim for a separate rating for left leg radiculopathy was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to her active service. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection due to her right ankle periostitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hip, left ankle, right knee, and lumbar spine disorders are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was rated at 20 percent prior to April 11, 2013. The Board found that a higher rating of 40 percent is warranted for the period from July 12, 2008 to April 11, 2013.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for low back arthritis was denied in October 1995 and reopened due to new evidence. The Board has now granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease. His major depressive disorder is rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma and the Board finds service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee and low back disabilities are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of a chronic ongoing condition associated with his military service. The preponderance of the evidence supports the denial of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional clinical findings and a VA examination. The Veteran also raised the issue of whether bladder dysfunction, another manifestation of his low back disability, warrants separate compensable ratings.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial evaluations of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis with loss of cervical lordosis, as well as his chronic lumbosacral strain, were granted increased disability ratings. The rating for the intervertebral disc syndrome was set at 30 percent effective from June 5, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to July 23, 2014 and since July 23, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation as his symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination in June 2013.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for vision impairment due to hemorrhagic fever and a back disorder. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD remains denied.