Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to May 27, 2010. From May 27, 2010, he was granted a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the rating for PTSD and service connection for a back disability, hypertension, prostate disability, and restless leg syndrome. The case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal of his petitions seeking to reopen his claims for service connection for a hip disorder and low back condition has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeals.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection claims for low back and bilateral knee disabilities has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no evidence of a headache disorder during the pendency of his claim. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected lumbar spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Board found no evidence of a low back disability, hypertension, or an acquired psychiatric disorder during service or within one year post-service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. However, these claims are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the neurological symptoms in his left lower extremity are also rated as 40 percent under a separate diagnostic code. The Board finds that neither condition warrants an increase to a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. As such, he is eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip and low back disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Johns Hopkins Hospital and providing another VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for low back, neck, and right knee disabilities due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease (DDD), L5-S1, prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient information and missing records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claim for bilateral lower extremity pain and numbness, which is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain was denied, with the exception of separate ratings for left and right lumbar radiculopathy as of May 10, 2010. The effective date for these additional ratings is also noted.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lung disability and remanded his appeal for service connection for a back disability. The case is now being returned to the Board for further action.