Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including contacting the Connecticut National Guard to verify if the Veteran had periods of active duty for training in 1985 or 1986 and obtaining any outstanding service treatment records from this period. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was granted, with a current evaluation of 10 percent. The case is remanded to determine if he should be assigned a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent from August 20, 2013. The Board found that the evidence showed functional loss equivalent to unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine and granted a higher rating of 40 percent.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease effective February 15, 2015. The previous initial 10 percent rating was maintained.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at a local RO. The issues include rating adjustments for knee disabilities, reopening of service connection claims for psychiatric and back disorders, and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current disability, continuity of symptoms since service separation, and a causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current condition. The claim is therefore granted.

PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to April 10, 2009 and increased to 30 percent thereafter.,Low back disability was rated at 0 percent prior to April 16, 2009 and increased to 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including cervical spine or neck condition, thoracolumbar spine or back condition, bilateral eye disorder, irritable bowel syndrome and GERD, prostate condition with incontinence, recurring skin lesions and sores, migraine headaches, insomnia, anxiety and depression, and temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ). The appeal is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability caused by or aggravated by his service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the listed issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for his right ankle and spine conditions, as the current evidence does not adequately address these issues. The Veteran will also need to provide updated treatment records from the Orlando VA Medical Center.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes or tinnitus. The claims of service connection for astigmatism and myopia, low back strain, cervical and pelvic non-allopathic lesions, myalgia and myositis, hypertension, and external hemorrhoids are denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service. However, the Veteran does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to a lack of active duty during a wartime period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a low back disability, allergic rhinitis, and left shoulder impingement syndrome with osteoarthritis. The remaining issues are either not addressed or remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a new medical opinion regarding her claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for right knee and back disabilities, as well as the claim for TDIU. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for pilonidal cyst, hypertensive heart disease, headaches, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, and liver disability. The reasons given were lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back strain and assigned initial compensable disability ratings of 10 percent each for right and left upper extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, is attributable to service. The Board finds that this condition was incurred in active duty.