Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's neck disorder and low back disability are being remanded for additional development to determine their etiology, severity, and impact on employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is related to an in-service back injury, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracic and lumbar spine osteoarthritis is not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not show a direct link between his in-service scoliosis diagnosis and his current condition, nor does it demonstrate continuity of symptoms since discharge.

The Veteran's lumbosacral DDD with IVDS was rated at 20 percent prior to October 21, 2011 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. His lumbosacral sciatica of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to October 21, 2011 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, with the exception of the time period from March 26, 2012 to April 30, 2013 when he had a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain service records and determine if his lumbar spine condition and hypertension are related to his military service. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to provide information or evidence pertinent to these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining clinical records from Womack Hospital and obtaining an adequate VA medical opinion. The Veteran's claim for clothing allowance is also being remanded as there has not been issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic low back disability, including DJD and herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine, was not incurred or aggravated by military service. The current diagnoses are more likely related to post-service motor vehicle accidents.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional private treatment records and provide a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his military service. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address service connection claims for a low back disability and variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD. The Veteran's accounts of stressors in service will be verified, and medical opinions will be obtained regarding the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity sciatic syndrome have not been found to warrant a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, with a 20% rating effective from May 1, 2014. The claims of service connection for neck disability, bladder dysfunction, headaches, and left knee DJD are all denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability and whether it has caused or aggravated his low back disability. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine condition and skin condition are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of her lumbar spine and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's low back strain disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the VA examiner found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of additional functional loss and no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss due to clear and unmistakable error in the August 1989 rating decision. The Veteran's sensory deficit of the left lower extremity and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis remain pending issues, as does his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for low back and left shoulder disorders, finding no evidence of chronic conditions in service or continuity of symptoms. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim was also denied as there is no clear evidence that the current condition is related to service.