Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no direct service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee conditions, as well as his back condition. The claims for fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, and migraine headaches have also been denied. However, new evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for diabetes mellitus, type 2; depression; and REM sleep behavior disorder.

The Veteran's low back disability was evaluated at a 20 percent rating prior to July 25, 2006. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The case is being remanded for a new VA opinion to assess the impact of the Veteran's service-connected thoracic/lumbar spine disability on his employability, considering both disabilities as one. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining this opinion.

The Veteran's total and permanent disability rating due to service-connected disabilities, including his chronic cardiac disability affecting balance or propulsion, meets the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve were denied as there is no evidence of intervertebral disc syndrome or ankylosis, which would warrant higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, while his knee, hip, low back, and cervical spine disorders are related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sinusitis, cervical spine degenerative joint disease prior to August 12, 2009, and cervical spine degenerative joint disease from March 19, 2010. The remaining issues of service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease and increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease are also remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease is rated at 40 percent, effective the date of this decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot condition, back disability, left shoulder disability, and neck disability. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service dates and provision of new examinations to address the issues of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, missing service treatment records, and missing private medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability was chronically worsened by her service-connected bilateral lower extremity disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's daughter was born in November 2006, and he became entitled to additional compensation for his child as of the date of her birth. However, he did not submit information about this until September 21, 2009, which is when VA received a completed VA Form 21-686c from him. Therefore, the effective date for the award of additional compensation based on a dependent child was October 1, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right shoulder disabilities are not related to her service, and therefore, she is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent prior to March 28, 2014 and at 40 percent thereafter. The appeal was granted as the disability meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need for a certification from the Chief Medical Director or designee regarding whether the back brace he wears causes damage to his outer garments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disorders are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected left ankle disability, granting service connection for both conditions.