Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right patellar maltracking and lumbar spondylosis are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current upper back disability, including cervical spinal stenosis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, or bone spur of the back that is related to his military service. The VA examiner found no link between these conditions and his time in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service, and the issue of TDIU is remanded for readjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, neck condition, headaches, and PTSD. The decision found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, resulting in a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims and concluding that there is no causal relationship between current conditions and active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine DDD with spinal stenosis is related to his combat service and therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied entitlement to an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability on an extraschedular basis and did not address the issue of a TDIU due to lack of appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his neck disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has decided that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's right hip disability is not shown, and her stomach disorder was found to be secondary to her major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's depression is due to his service-connected left finger disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disorders as well as an increased rating for migraine headaches. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again with additional evidence and/or development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and sciatica of the right lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and credible evidence to establish current diagnoses for the Veteran's claimed back condition or sinusitis. As such, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, prostate disorder, skin disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, fibromyalgia, ischemic heart disease, and sleep disorder. The claims are based on direct service connection rather than a presumption or exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for a C-section scar and lumbar spine disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, is substantiated but the issue of bilateral lower extremity disability (peripheral neuropathy) remains pending.

The Veteran's combined disability rating following the December 2011 rating decision was properly calculated. The assigned 40 percent combined rating effective from August 2002 reflects the correct application of the combined ratings table.