Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including DJD and DDD, was granted a 20 percent rating effective May 14, 2014. The left knee disability was denied.

The VA examiner found no evidence of a current lumbar spine disability related to service, and the Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service are not credible. Therefore, the Board finds that service connection for a lumbar spine disability is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a medical examination of his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disability was denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to September 13, 2012 and since then.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches have been rated at 50 percent, effective December 18, 2008. The right shoulder disability remains not service connected.

The Board has found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed disabilities of the right and left knees, low back, and right and left feet are attributable to his military service. The Veteran also has a bilateral eye disability (specifically, photosensitivity) and headaches with nausea which are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings and TDIU related to his service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disease with intermittent radiculopathy and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with intermittent radiculopathy. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, SSA disability determination information, and any other relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, but denied service connection for hypertension, GERD, a spinal disorder, and ED. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure. Service connection was not established for hypertension or GERD as they are not related to diabetes mellitus. Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right lower extremity were granted initial evaluations of 40 percent each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury. The cervical spine and right shoulder disorders are currently under consideration.

Service connection is granted for a left foot disorder and low back disorder.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease at L3-S1 with central stenosis, lumbar facet syndrome, herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-L5 and L5-S1, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, is service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left shoulder disability, and right ankle disability, collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tuberculosis, hepatitis, chronic allergic conjunctivitis of the eyes, sinusitis, and heart murmur were granted. He was also granted a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis. The claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, hemorrhoids, and inguinal hernia with right testicle pain is pending.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities, and there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's ongoing back problems are not related to the back pain he experienced during service. However, the case is REMANDED as there may be additional evidence in support of his claim.

The Board denied service connection for back disability and an increased rating for TBI with migraines, but granted a noncompensable initial rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral jungle foot rot or a back disability related to active duty service.,Evidence received since the March 2012 rating decision is new and material, reopening the claims for loss of memory (to include as secondary to traumatic brain injury or service-connected bilateral hearing loss) and right lung scars (secondary to exposure to asbestos and volcanic ash).

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed lumbar spine disability is not related to his military service, including any injury during a summer cruise in 1976 or any other aspect of his active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and assigned a 10 percent rating, but the Veteran is seeking an increased rating.