Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including lumbar strain with sciatica, is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding her foot, back and knee disabilities. The claims for PTSD, fatigue, gall bladder disability, gum disease, migraines, and varicose veins are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the service connection of the Veteran's low back disorder to include as secondary to his service-connected pilonidal cyst.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent from February 6, 2007 to December 3, 2009. From December 3, 2009 to April 4, 2012, the disability was rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from February 6, 2007 and increased to 40 percent effective December 3, 2009. The Board has remanded for further development regarding the issue of TDIU and an extraschedular rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 40 percent disabling from December 3, 2009 to April 4, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his sacroiliac sclerosis with prolapse and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome is denied, as the evidence does not show ankylosis or physician-prescribed bedrest due to incapacitating episodes. The service connection claim for a bilateral hip disability is also denied.

The Board has ordered further development to determine if the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral degenerative joint and disc disease contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death, which was listed as bilateral pneumonia-mixed bacterial. The appellant argues that the Veteran's back disorder was so debilitating it aided in causing his death.

The Veteran's low back and right elbow disabilities are being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip, right shoulder, left shoulder, and low back degenerative joint diseases as well as cellulitis, all of which are found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their causal relationship to the Veteran's service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative disc disease of the spine. The VA examiner found no relationship between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current condition, citing a lack of evidence in service treatment records and a long period without any complaints or treatment related to the back issue.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine and herniated lumbar disc, status post two laminectomies, was incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and bilateral leg disabilities, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to April 25, 2014 and 40 percent beginning April 25, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since April 15, 2015. The claim for TDIU prior to this date remains in appellate status due to the partial grant of a TDIU award.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted, while his claim for an increased rating for low back strain remains pending. His TDIU claim has been referred to the Compensation Director due to evidence suggesting he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and low back disability, as well as the TDIU claim are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and an adjustment disorder. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome rating is restored to 30 percent.