Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was granted, with an effective date of November 19, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue regarding an increased rating for low back pain syndrome with degenerative joint disease has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a 40 percent initial rating, effective from the date of the claim.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for lumbar spine paraspinous muscle strain and recurrent left shoulder dislocation were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the one-year period prior to the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, particularly regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and granted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining inpatient medical records from Chanute Air Force Base and other relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be decided, including obtaining audiogram results and conducting VA examinations for hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and lower back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral breast tumors, and thyroid tumor. The claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened due to new evidence, but the other claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 60 percent, effective April 28, 2014. The left knee disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a skin disorder of the feet due to new and material evidence. The low back disorder is presumed not aggravated by service, but no current disability was found. Service connection for bilateral foot condition as secondary to low back disorder remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification of opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities, as well as consideration of additional medical literature provided by the Veteran's representative.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's L5-S1 degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and spondylolisthesis, as well as degenerative arthritis of both knees. The Veteran's left inguinal hernia is also service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for hypertension, and there is no evidence of an in-service event or injury related to this condition. The VA examiner found no direct relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his back disability was granted, with a 40% disability rating effective September 23, 2010. The issue of TDIU prior to this date remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service connection claim for a low back disorder secondary to service-connected pes planus, and his TDIU claim were not granted. His hypothyroidism with thyroidectomy is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back strain is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the most recent VA examination, which did not address additional range of motion loss due to pain on use and flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection and psychiatric disabilities.