Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a back disability, as there is no medical opinion linking current low back pathology to service or an in-service injury. The Veteran's current back condition is more likely related to a 2003 motor vehicle accident.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection. The cervical spine disability, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder are all found not to be related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected low back condition resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to be limited to less than 30 degrees, qualifying for a 40 percent rating for accrued benefits purposes as of April 12, 2007.

The Veteran's low back strain was granted a rating of 40 percent effective September 23, 2014. The right lower extremity radiculopathy and post-operative right knee instability were both granted separate ratings.

The Board found that the reduction in rating from 40 percent to 20 percent was improper and restored the original 40 percent rating for the low back disability. The claim for increased rating and TDIU prior to July 14, 2009 remains on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar scoliosis with degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder, both found to be related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for eczema, left epicondylitis, a left hip condition, and a lumbar spine condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral hip disability are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fatigue is not due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness related to his service in Southwest Asia. The symptoms are attributed to known clinical diagnoses such as PTSD, back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder.

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and therefore, denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including another VA examination to address the etiology of his hypertension and current low back and right hand disabilities. The AOJ will also schedule a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease was granted effective October 24, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected back disability did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the claims of depressive disorder, bilateral pes planus, hypothyroidism, and a bilateral shin disability during her hearing. The remaining issues are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of lumbar spine disability was denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability was reopened, but the issue remains pending as it has not been decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability, lumbar spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for service connection for colon cancer was also denied as there is no evidence of record that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by active duty service. Service connection for a dental disability for compensation purposes was not granted due to lack of qualifying conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine arthritis and tinnitus. The issues of increased evaluations are also pending.

The Veteran's appeals on several issues have been dismissed as the Veteran and his representative requested to withdraw these claims.