Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right elbow/wrist disability with history of carpal tunnel syndrome, effective October 14, 2015. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current folliculitis is incurred during active service and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left wrist disability, as new and material evidence has been received. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted due to in-service back pain that persisted post-service and was diagnosed with minimal arthritis within one year of separation from active duty. The claim for service connection for a left wrist disability remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The right shoulder disability increased rating claim is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and disability ratings for various conditions, including restless leg syndrome, bilateral knee disorders, infertility, a lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and scars. The appeals are currently pending due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, vertigo, and bilateral cataracts due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's major depression is rated at 50% since October 2011, with a GAF score of 65.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The current disability ratings for his degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, elbow, cervical spine, and lumbar spine are all 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right sacroiliac joint dysfunction with chronic low back strain and any relationship between this condition and his bilateral knee disability and left lower extremity neurologic disorder. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, porphyria cutanea tarda, back disability, stress fracture of the right third metatarsal, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other conditions are not supported by evidence showing a current disability. His claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not meet VA criteria for a finding of disability.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including scoliosis and bulging discs, was aggravated by his active duty service. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lumbar spinal stenosis with herniated lumbar disc and myelopathy, and eye disability (mature senile cataract). The Veteran did not provide new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as her range of motion did not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected conditions are being remanded to allow for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines due to traumatic head injury was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the disabling effects of the Veteran's headaches have exceeded the severity and frequency encompassed by the current 30 percent evaluation, on average.

The Board denied all issues on appeal, including service connection for various conditions and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability. The Veteran's left knee was found to have limited flexion but no extension limitation.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, bilateral knee and low back disabilities as secondary to the left ankle disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to distinguish the symptoms associated with his service-connected residuals of a compression fracture of the T-12 from those associated with his DDD of the lumbar spine.