Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and low back disability are service-connected, with the latter being granted based on a finding of direct service connection due to in-service injury. The claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, memory loss, and depression, is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability required convalescence following surgery until May 24, 2010. The Board granted an extension of the temporary total convalescence rating to June 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disorder are pending.

The Veteran's insomnia is considered part of his service-connected psychiatric disability, and thus no separate claim for this condition was granted.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been established as it is at least as likely as not aggravated by a pre-existing service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The RO will also consider whether he has submitted a completed VA Form 21-8940 and address any related issues.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis (low back disability) and postoperative right knee disability with chondromalacia and traumatic arthritis have not met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability did not originate during service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection for back disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and right AC joint disabilities have not met the criteria for higher initial evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on multiple conditions were denied, and the RO maintained the current disability rating of 20 percent for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and his range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran is competent to manage his own funds without limitation and the appeal for incompetency is granted.

The Board previously denied service connection for a low back disability. The Court has remanded the case to the Board due to an unclear medical opinion and the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, sleep apnea, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (secondary to herbicide exposure), and diabetes mellitus (secondary to herbicide exposure) have rendered him unemployable due to his disabilities. As a result, he is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, spondylosis, degenerative disc disease and moderate anterior T12 wedging is not rated higher than 40 percent prior to October 6, 2014. The right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 10 percent from July 21, 2015 onwards. The Veteran's right knee strain and left knee strain remain rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period. Residuals of right great toe and foot injury do not warrant a compensable rating prior to October 6, 2014.

The Board found no evidence of a back disability in service or within one year post-service, and concluded that the Veteran's current back disability is more likely related to age-related degenerative changes rather than service. For his duodenal ulcer, the Board determined that it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the right knee strain was not separate from patella chondromalacia, which is already service-connected. For the hip issues, the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to November 12, 2015, but since then has met criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, both before and after June 14, 2007. The effective date of the 20 percent rating was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture and finds that the Veteran's current left hip, right knee, left knee, and back disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left foot and/or right ankle disabilities. The remaining issues have not been decided.