Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's post-operative residuals of discectomy and fusion of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the current disability is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notification of VA examinations for lumbar and cervical spine conditions. The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are now before the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 20 percent evaluation effective August 28, 2003. The claim for increased ratings for his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear disability, back disability, bilateral ankle disabilities, and frostbite of the hands and feet. The evidence does not show any right ear disability other than hearing loss and tinnitus for which the Veteran is already service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence of a preexisting disability or any nexus to military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent and has been granted a separate rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The initial rating of 10 percent remains in effect, while the additional rating for radiculopathy is effective from January 7, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment due to loss of use in hands or feet.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of the Veteran's hearing loss claim on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is rated at 20 percent, effective July 11, 2011. The right knee DJD remains rated at 20 percent combined (based on a formulation of 10 percent for painful motion and 10 percent for instability).

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating greater than 10 percent prior to July 24, 2006, and greater than 20 percent thereafter, for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine on an extraschedular basis was denied by the Board.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for Hanta Virus, IBS, anemia (claimed as blood thinning), left ear disability, skin disability, and leishmaniasis were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, as the evidence supports a diagnosis related to combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with service connection for tinnitus established. The other issues remain on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder as secondary to the service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for the left knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was denied in May 2007 and is not reopened. The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, headaches, and associated radiculopathy are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back injury with degenerative joint disease due to outdated VA examination records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cervical spine disability caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for TDIU and special monthly compensation due to additional evidence being needed, including VA clinical records and a social and industrial survey. The issues are inextricably intertwined with a pending claim of service connection for depression.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for all issues, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling appropriate examinations, and readjudicating the claims.