Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current disability meeting VA standards.,Service connection granted for left ear hearing loss, with the condition etiologically related to an injury in service.,Service connection not established for a low back condition due to lack of chronic disability manifestation or evidence linking it to service.,Muscle contractions in the right hand were not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions.,Muscle contractions in the left hand were also not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection for an undiagnosed illness (including gastrointestinal disorder, bronchitis, and fatigue) was denied as there is no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbar spine disorder with spondylosis and bilateral peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and service connection. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the issues of secondary service connection and missing private medical records.

The Veteran's request for a travel board hearing was not properly notified, and the Board is remanding the case to schedule another hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the service-connected right testicle disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities are supported by competent medical evidence, and reasonable doubt is resolved in his favor.

The Board has determined that there is no direct service connection for hepatitis C, as the evidence does not establish a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was evaluated at a 10 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis, status post lumbar spinal fusion is manifested by arthritis and pain prior to April 29, 2008. After that date, he experiences complaints of pain and a limitation of motion greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent has been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted increased ratings of 40 percent each, effective from the date an increase in severity was warranted. The TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for spondylosis, L-5 vertebra, with degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1, prior to September 24, 2009, and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for spondylosis, L-5 vertebra, with degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1, after September 24, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left and right knee disabilities, shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, and other conditions, collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing his claims for higher ratings for low back disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracic and lumbar spine disability, with degenerative disc disease, status post L4-5 laminectomy and right facectomy, is not related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee osteoarthritis, and instability of the left knee. The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability has been evaluated at a 10 percent rating since the initial grant of service connection. The evidence shows that his range of motion is sufficient to meet this rating, with no additional limitation due to pain or other factors.