Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new opinion from the examiner.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disability originated during active service or was aggravated by an increase in disability during her period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and heartburn are related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus granted service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 13, 2012. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sleep disorder and a back disorder due to incomplete development. The case is now before the Board for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating at any time during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her back disability was denied. She is currently rated at 20% for right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective June 25, 2009.,Her claim for increased ratings for both conditions has been partially granted with the right lower extremity radiculopathy receiving a rating of 20%, effective June 25, 2009.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective May 10, 1999 due to his service-connected lumbar strain and depressive reaction. The Board found that the evidence did not show he was unemployable prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The remaining claims of service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, right arm disability, left arm disability, and neck disability are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shin splints, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury. Service connection for a low back disorder was denied as there is no evidence of chronicity and the most likely etiology is a post-service work-related injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left carpal tunnel syndromes, as well as a separate rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with his lumbar spine disorder, were granted. The Veteran is now rated at 40% for his lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and lumbar strain, status post lumbar surgery with scarring, is currently rated at 40 percent since June 10, 2013, based on the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his military service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are currently rated as 20 percent for each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain since October 6, 2014. The Veteran's heart disability is not service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected heart disability, finding that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted prior to April 1, 2009, and granted a 60 percent rating effective from April 1, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and degenerative joint disease of the spine and shoulders, effectively preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with her educational and work background.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, fibrocystic breast disease, and has denied service connection for chronic headaches, low back disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and neuropathy of the right foot.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disorder and any associated neurological issues. The Veteran also needs to be provided with another opportunity to report for this examination.