Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent, and the left lower extremity radiculopathy was previously rated at 20 percent before being increased to 40 percent effective November 29, 2013. The rating for major depression remains unchanged.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in service and concluded that the current condition is not related to any injury or disease incurred during active duty. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities have been rated as noncompensable, but his left knee disability has been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.,His service-connected right hand disability and resulting scar are currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its associated secondary disabilities (eye disability, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and kidney disability) due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty. Service connection was also granted for bilateral hearing loss as a result of in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the etiology of the Veteran's headaches and neck disabilities. The Veteran is also in receipt of service-connected benefits for his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 28, 2011. The Board granted TDIU benefits based on the evidence showing that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to work.

The Board has granted service connection for seasonal allergies and assigned a noncompensable rating. The appellant's other claims have been addressed, with some issues resulting in grants of service connection or increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, including arthritis of the spine and disc disease, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service, and is not attributable to an event or injury in service.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by degenerative changes and lumbosacral strain, was found to have a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not exceeding 170 degrees with forward flexion limited to no less than 40 degrees. This does not meet the criteria for an evaluation higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical strain, spurring and superior end-plate changes of the thoracolumbar spine, residuals of a TBI including episodes of syncope, and migraine headaches. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability does not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, and therefore a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's left knee and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Veteran's cervical spine disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for PTSD and TDIU has been granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for PTSD, effective June 24, 2013.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and her thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted the requested increased ratings for both disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new VA examination. The issues on appeal are related to the evaluations of his service-connected back and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbar spine disability, which he claims was incurred during active duty. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if the injury occurred on inactive duty training (IDT) and whether it is related to his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for vertigo, lumbar strain, and jaw fracture residuals were denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate given the evidence of record.