Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability has been withdrawn.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back, right knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the underlying merits of these claims remain pending.

The Board has determined that service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted. The claim for secondary service connection for residuals of stroke to include as secondary to service-connected low back disability is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability. The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by active service, while his currently diagnosed low back disability is considered a chronic disease under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a copy of the examiner's credentials.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot and ankle disabilities have been reopened. The claim for back disability is pending, with the decision on whether it meets the criteria for 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 benefits being mixed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The May 2013 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is less likely than not related to his service, including an injury therein.

Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder is denied as the Veteran's current condition is not related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as these conditions are not presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private and VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back strain and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than those currently assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities, thus the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance were not met.

The Veteran's back disorder is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability related to his service or caused by a service-connected condition, including as secondary to his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including seeking a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected low back disability from May 9, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disorders are not service-connected as they were not shown in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent and does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his schedular rating alone. The Board finds that referral to an extra-schedular evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's back and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine was denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current severity of his condition.