Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder, which he claims was caused by physical impact during active duty. The Board finds that further development is required to fully evaluate his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected left tibia fracture with left knee traumatic arthritis is found to be the primary cause of his chronic low back strain, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and degenerative disc disease of the low back are secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has been denied for increased ratings in excess of the current assigned evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is related to his service-connected left leg disability, which caused a leg length discrepancy and altered his gait. As such, the claim for service connection for a back disorder secondary to service-connected residuals of gunshot wound to the left tibia is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and IgA glomerulonephritis, finding that there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that there was no pending claim prior to January 21, 2010, and the evidence does not demonstrate a 'factually ascertainable increase' warranting an increased rating between January 21, 2009, and January 21, 2010. Therefore, the criteria for an effective date earlier than January 21, 2010, have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability had its onset in service and granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, thoracic spine DDD, disc protrusion, and neuroforaminal narrowing was rated at 10 percent prior to September 17, 2010. Since then, the disability has been rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The low back disorder claim will be remanded as it was not fully addressed in the previous rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L5-S1 is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease was caused by his service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied in March 2005. The effective date of the grant of service connection for chronic lumbar strain with congenital sacralization at L5, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolysis is set to October 4, 2007.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected, and he is granted a noncompensable rating for his left foot hammertoe. The issue of service connection for the lumbar spine disability has been remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatitis, finding that the Veteran's current skin disability had its onset during his active service. The issues of increased initial ratings for right knee strain and right ankle strain are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded as the current evidence is insufficient to determine the severity of his lumbar sprain and tension headaches, claimed as migraines. Additionally, a TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, treatment records, and a review of SSA records.