Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders, to include degenerative disc disease involving each portion of the spine, are at least as likely as not etiologically related to his military service. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's DDD with disc herniation and chronic lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent effective from September 4, 2015. The Veteran also receives separate ratings for right lower extremity neuralgia (10%) and left lower extremity neuralgia (10%).

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD, compression fracture at L2 of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease, left otitis media with ruptured tympanic membrane, left saphenous nerve entrapment, or bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, which was previously denied in February and August 2005. The Veteran's claims were based on his contention that his current low back disorder is either secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability or directly related to an incident during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and assigned an effective date of September 21, 2000.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 11, 2011, for the grant of service connection for a back condition is denied. The earliest possible effective date for his service connection claim was assigned as July 11, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability warranted a rating of 10 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on range of motion or functional impairment. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and initial evaluations for his PTSD, major depressive disorder, mechanical cervical muscle strain, and mechanical lumbar strain have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a neurological examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities were not related to service. The evidence did not show a chronic disability in service or within one year of discharge, and there was no medical nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his cervical spine condition, lumbar IVDS, and bowel dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar back strain and right knee patellar chondromalacia did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 23, 2000.

The Board dismissed the motion due to the death of the moving party.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, did not have an onset during his period of service or within one year after separation. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back condition is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disorder. The Veteran should be asked to identify all facilities where he has received treatment for his low back disorder from January 2013 to the present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected, and his claims for heart disorder, increased rating for diabetes mellitus, and TDIU have been withdrawn. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral vascular disease, bilateral knee disability, bilateral leg disability (other than peripheral vascular disease), and back disability. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is causally related to his military service and grants service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a tear of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus with chondrocalcinosis and arthritis, is rated at 10 percent. The Board granted an increased rating for instability of the left knee.