Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted the June 2014 VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner to address whether his lumbar spine disability is related to service or secondary to service-connected prostatitis and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine warrants a 10 percent rating prior to July 17, 2014. From that date, his disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened, and he is now entitled to a 10 percent initial evaluation prior to March 14, 2007. The effective date of his PTSD service connection remains pending.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include degenerative disc disease. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a supplemental VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral foot condition, and lung disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability was not rated higher than 20 percent, and his right and left leg radiculopathies were each granted a 20 percent rating effective August 26, 2011 and August 26, 2014 respectively.

The Veteran's diffuse lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc space narrowing L5-S1 is rated at 20 percent, and the separate ratings for moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities are also granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be at least as likely as not aggravated by service.,The Veteran's low back disability is found to be at least as likely as not incurred during active duty for training.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been evaluated at a 10 percent rating since September 23, 2002. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under the amended regulations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition pre-existed service and was aggravated by in-service injuries, thus granting service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development and examination of the Veteran's claims, including his service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder with TBI residuals, and joint pain. The issues include evaluating his lumbar spine disorder and multiple joint pain.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted, effective from March 14, 2011. His right ankle disorder and lumbar degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis are the service-connected conditions that have led to this decision.

The Board finds that there is no competent and credible evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder to his service, or to his service-connected residuals of a left foot fracture. The most probative evidence does not support a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with history of psychophysiological overlay and intervertebral syndrome of the nerve root at L5 with superficial peroneal nerve involvement and degenerative joint disease, effective June 14, 2011. The claim for separate compensable ratings for radiculopathy associated with the Veteran's lumbar spine strain is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension, degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all found to be related to service.,The Veteran's right knee disability is not directly linked to service but may be secondary to his service-connected left foot disability. The right hip disability is also considered secondary to the service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent effective June 23, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, as well as further development of the claims.