Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his back disability was denied as there is no evidence showing that the current limitation of motion warrants a rating higher than 20 percent.,Service connection for the skull fracture (claimed as TBI) was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a pre-existing head injury in service and that his fall in April 2012 caused his brain injury, which is not related to his back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back, left leg, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected residuals of a left heel injury with numbness to the cutaneous nerve. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for his lower back disorder is being remanded due to inadequate reasons and bases in the October 2014 Board decision, failure to comply with December 2013 remand directives, and need for additional medical inquiry.

The Veteran's claims for extraschedular ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with hip, thigh, buttocks, and calf pain are being remanded to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, an acquired psychiatric disability, and other conditions. The Veteran appealed these decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Veterans Court), which granted a joint motion vacating the May 2009 decision denying service connection for glaucoma and an acquired psychiatric disability and remanded those issues to the Board.

The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis with intervertebral disc syndrome is rated at 40 percent, and his sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the legs has been rated as noncompensable throughout the period on appeal. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current low back disabilities, diagnosed as chronic lumbosacral strain and lumbar degenerative joint disease. The examiner should consider all complaints of back pain in service, including those during military service and after separation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disorders.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the April 25, 1973 decision that denied service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's post-service injury was considered the cause of his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar muscle strain and service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as her claims for psychiatric disability (PTSD and psychosis), bilateral knee disability, and left hip disability.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional evidence and provide a new VA examination, as well as request written rationale from Dr. Trevino.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a 100 percent rating for this condition. The low back disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical examination with an orthopedist to address whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus caused or aggravated his current ankle, knee, low back, and neck disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. His lumbar spine disability, rated at 40 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, has been granted a higher rating based on unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of a claim regarding CUE in a previous rating decision and review of additional medical evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no evidence of chronicity. The medical opinions were against a nexus to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been denied as there is no competent and credible evidence establishing the current disability. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed condition of depression.