Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and current disabilities are not causally related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and a neck disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have chronic disorders in service or for many years thereafter. The evidence showed no onset of symptoms until after service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits of high cholesterol, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and PTSD have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, right and left knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The decision also addressed other issues such as increased ratings for foot disabilities and entitlement to additional compensation benefits for dependent sons.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, cervical spine disability, and arthritis of the bilateral hips. The Veteran's claims for other disabilities are also granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a low back disability, and the Board has dismissed this appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active duty service.,Service connection is granted for a low back disorder and left knee disorder, as these conditions were noted upon entrance into the Veteran's period of active duty service and further developed during his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is pending.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a low back injury and sleep disorder (insomnia) as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability has been reopened and is granted. The Board finds that the evidence raises a reasonable possibility of establishing the claim, as it indicates that the Veteran's (variously diagnosed) lumbar spine disability may be related to service. The Veteran also received an additional 10 percent rating for left knee instability from April 24, 2012 through March 25, 2013.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings on all three issues: irritable bowel syndrome, lumbar spine disability, and allergic rhinitis. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and remanded the case to obtain additional development. The right foot disability issue remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent and the RO has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran also received a higher rating of 50 percent for his PTSD from August 26, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine osteoarthritis and degenerative disc and spondylosis of the thoracic spine do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. However, due to his combined disability rating of 90 percent and the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and tinnitus, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current back disabilities to his service, including a thoracic spine injury in 1973. The VA examiner opined that any present cervical and lumbar spine conditions are more likely due to acute soft tissue injuries rather than chronic residuals of the 1973 injury.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection, and there is no evidence showing that his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed bilateral hip and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and left hip condition were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for any of the requested increased ratings.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was initially rated at 20 percent prior to June 12, 2012. Since then, the rating has been increased to 30 percent effective June 12, 2012.,A separate 10 percent rating is granted for marked interference with employment since February 27, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his cervical spine disability and consideration of his claim for TDIU.