Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a separate vision disorder and denied his claim for service connection. For his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, the Board concluded there is no evidence of chronicity in service or within one year after discharge, and it was less likely than not caused by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and residuals of a fracture of the pelvis with degenerative joint disease left hip, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and work background since June 21, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are etiologically related to service, with no clear evidence of pre-service onset or other causes. The claims for hip disorders have not been substantiated.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the March 2010 VA examination report and a need for an appropriate VA examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the claim. The Board also found in favor of the Veteran on the merits of her claim, granting service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new, comprehensive VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for multilevel lumbar disc degeneration and an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the issue of entitlement to a rating for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine in excess of 40 percent prior to February 7, 2012 and since April 1, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis, lumbar strain, grade one L4-L5 spondylolysthesis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine based on a finding that the disability is related to his active duty service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, right hand disorder, bilateral eye disorder, and lumbosacral strain with muscle spasms of lumbar area. The evidence submitted since the last final denial relates to an unestablished fact (medical nexus between current diagnosed disorders and service) necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a back disability have been reopened, but the claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 based on participation in CWT program remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective October 15, 2008. Service connection for a right wrist disability and a right shoulder disability are denied. The Veteran's service-connected left knee and right knee disabilities each receive a separate 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are not service-connected. The acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) is also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the evidence did not support granting higher disability ratings or a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine was rated at 40 percent prior to June 13, 2012. The effective date for service connection of radiculopathy of the lower extremities is set at April 24, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case to the agency of original jurisdiction for further action, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.