Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction secondary to a psychiatric disability and tinea pedis, have been granted. The initial rating assigned is 30 percent for dyssomnia.

The Board has decided that there are additional pieces of evidence submitted since the last decision and has ordered a remand for further review.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or neurological manifestations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for neck disability on the basis that there was no evidence of chronicity in service or at any time since service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected headaches and cervical spine degenerative disc disease ratings.,The Court remanded the issue of TDIU due to the failure to consider whether the appellant is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was evaluated at 10 percent prior to July 16, 2011. Since then, the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back condition and obstructive sleep apnea are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic or recurrent condition in service. The current conditions are attributed to post-service events.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in service. Service connection was denied for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine due to lack of continuity of symptoms within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability or TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's failure to appear at his scheduled July 2014 hearing. The appeal will be processed accordingly.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder and headache disorder are related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of a connection. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are service-connected. However, the reduction of his rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10% to noncompensable was improper due to insufficient consideration of pertinent laws and regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and vocational rehabilitation records. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective September 8, 2009. The Board also granted separate ratings of 10 percent for radiculopathy in both lower extremities from January 14, 2010.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability, which he claims is related to an in-service fall. The Board finds that additional development is needed due to missing records and inadequate opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new medical opinions linking his current back disorder to injuries sustained during active duty. However, the Board finds that these injuries are less likely related to his military service and more likely secondary to a 1997 work injury.

The Veteran's low back disorder is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.