Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran did not suffer a concussion or headaches as a result of her May 2005 fall at a VA medical facility. Therefore, she is not entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a concussion and headaches.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since October 8, 2014. The VA determined that the condition warranted this rating based on its current manifestations and functional loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his military service, granting service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for postoperative lumbar herniated disc and osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine were denied as there was no evidence to support higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

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

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a low back injury or disease during service and that his current degenerative joint/disc disease is not related to service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Veteran's low back disability was characterized by flexion limited to 45 degrees, including consideration of pain on motion. There is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent from June 1, 2010 to June 12, 2015 and a rating in excess of 40 percent since.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service. The remaining claims for service connection for left elbow disorder, left shoulder disorder, residuals of a left-side rib injury, low back disorder, and cervical spine disorder are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed conditions, including headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, and umbilical hernia, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to secure medical records, arrange for examinations, and consider whether new evidence supports reopening a psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain recent VA treatment records, translate any untranslated documents, and then readjudicate the claims. The Veteran's claims for service connection are currently pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations and medical opinions in connection with his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and in-patient service treatment records. The Veteran is also scheduled for a videoconference hearing on his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to February 10, 2014 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent since February 10, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder is granted with a rating of 30 percent, effective August 31, 2012.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar spine sprain, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not relate his current back disability to service, and the claim was denied. For the laceration scars of the upper left back, a rating prior to September 23, 2008, was denied as there was no evidence of disabling manifestations. Since then, a 10% rating has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, do not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it warrants a higher evaluation due to its manifestations. The claim for increased rating was denied.