Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted with an effective date of November 7, 1969. The decision is based on direct service connection and not due to a presumption or new evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing request not being honored, and the Veteran's representative requested postponement of the hearing. The appeal is now pending for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for updated examinations.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the low back and sciatica are related to service. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and compression fractures of the thoracic spine are related to an in-service back injury, and service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions. However, the claim remains denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability appeal is withdrawn. The lumbar spine disability claim was denied as there was no in-service incurrence or chronicity of symptoms, and arthritis did not manifest within one year of service separation.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed low back disability that is attributable to service or caused by a service-connected condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and anxiety disorder, as well as an increased rating for anxiety disorder, are denied.

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

The Veteran's lumbar strain and right leg sciatica were rated at 10% prior to June 19, 2013. From that date, the disability was increased to 20%. The next higher rating of 40% is warranted due to functional loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since October 12, 2009. The Board has granted an effective date of October 12, 2009 for the award of a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disorder are not related to his active military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated based on their respective diagnostic codes, with the right and left lower extremity radiculopathy issues being addressed separately.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was granted an initial 10 percent rating from April 29, 2012 to October 1, 2014. The issue of a higher rating for his lumbar spine degenerative joint disease is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to difficulties in contacting the Veteran and obtaining a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is at least 100 percent from October 1, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.