Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, and scheduling a comprehensive VA spine examination. The issues of increased rating for thoracolumbar spine disability and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise that hypertension may be related to PTSD or herbicide exposure, and an upper and lower back disorder may be related to service. These issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear requests for hearings and needs clarification from the Veteran.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is not productive of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis; or, incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months. Therefore, he is not entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and remanded it for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected right ankle disability. The examiner concluded that the current low back condition is less likely as not caused by or related to the right ankle disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of service connection for a right wrist disability, lumbar spine disability, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and right knee patellofemoral chondromalacia with degenerative findings.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder did not begin during service or until many years after, is not related to his in-service gunshot injury, and is not caused or aggravated by any service-connected disability or disabilities. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining employment records and seeking an addendum opinion from a VA orthopedic examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and consideration of whether an extraschedular evaluation is warranted based on the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is service-connected and his cardiovascular disease, including CAD and hypertension, may be secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder. The remaining issues are addressed as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is etiologically related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran did not have such a condition in service or within one year of separation. The examiner opined that any current back disability was less likely than not incurred during service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability, but it is REMANDED to obtain treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was rated at 20 percent prior to April 13, 2015. From that date, the rating was increased to 40 percent. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from November 15, 2014.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and his right shoulder strain is denied. The lower back disability claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, urinary incontinence associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertensive heart disease, patellar subluxation of both knees, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, bilateral knee, and left ankle disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his chronic lumbar strain, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted prior to November 28, 2000.