Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder and lung disorder are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA medical examination to determine the current manifestations of his thoracolumbar spine disability, including ranges of motion and any functional limitations. More recent treatment records are also requested.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression as secondary to her service-connected left knee disability was reopened and granted.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as secondary to her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disability, increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, and TDIU were denied. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for his traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine effective August 8, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for a speech disorder, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected TBI. The case is remanded for further development and readjudication of other issues.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for gout, low back disorder (other than residuals of a fractured coccyx), and residuals of a fractured coccyx are denied. The claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorder, bilateral feet disorders, and low back disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and pain radiating down the legs, as the additional evidence does not relate these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA/privately obtained treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability. However, both claims have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, service connection for a back disorder, service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, and service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical stenosis, status post anterior posterior fusion, and lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication are related to his active duty service. As such, the claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board found that the appellant's current low back conditions are not directly related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of her claims, including a new VA examination for her bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 30 percent, effective June 24, 1985. The Board found that this rating was appropriate and denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 100%, rendering him eligible for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). However, as he already has a total rating due to the combined effects of all his service-connected disabilities, he cannot be granted TDIU based solely on these conditions.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back strain with herniated disc L4-L5 and peptic ulcer disease. The effective date for this decision is not specified as it was previously denied in December 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral knee disorders did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and are not otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining both physical and sedentary employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.