Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and residuals of left knee surgery, as well as his claim to reopen a previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found that he was not entitled to TDIU due to lack of any service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities did not manifest during service or within a year thereafter, and thus are not presumed to have been incurred therein. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any nexus between current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to consider both direct service connection and the possibility that his condition pre-dated service and was aggravated by it.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran also has radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with his service-connected low back disorder, which warrants a separate 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current upper back and neck disabilities are not related to her military service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracic spine and cervical spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the issue of an effective date earlier than March 27, 2006 for a 40 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain due to finality and res judicata principles.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease have been rated at 40 percent since February 1, 2012. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's back disorder is related to his service, specifically the assault he suffered in December 1971.

The Veteran's TBI claim is denied as there was no objective evidence of a TBI during service.,Service connection for tension headaches is granted as they are related to his service-connected GERD.

The Veteran's DDD of the thoracolumbar spine does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent, and his right L5 radiculopathy has not met or approximated the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, characterized as degenerative disc and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is related to service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and DDD with spinal stenosis are rated at 70 percent combined, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. The increased rating claim for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The low back disability claim was also denied, but the Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating from June 10, 2014. He is also rated for neuritis of the sciatic nerve in his left lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found no evidence of limitation of motion or pain to shoulder level, warranting a higher rating.