Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability and granted service connection. The right shoulder disability was also granted, with all issues resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is also granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability, and initial compensable disability ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease of the left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and depression, but denied them on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, back disability, stomach disability, left shoulder disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have been reopened. The evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a disability manifested by chest pain has also been reopened. The evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether this condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected low back condition is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for musculogiamentous low back strain and degenerative discogenic/arthritic changes of the cervical spine were denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS, which would warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is granted service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and low back pain with scoliosis will be remanded to consider de novo.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy to the left lower extremity secondary to DDD was denied. The VA examiner found that during the appeal period, the Veteran had at worst thoracolumbar spine flexion to 70 degrees with objective evidence of painful motion and no evidence of ankylosis, incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), or bowel or bladder impairment.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 30 percent, with a 10 percent deduction for aggravation from his service-connected right leg fracture. The RO has granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective December 1999.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and an inadequate opinion regarding a nose/throat disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 29, 2006 due to insufficient development and will be referred to the VA Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's low back disability, including lumbar strain, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his back and left ankle conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of an August 2013 VA examination report. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for hypertension during the January 2015 Board hearing. The Board has determined that service connection is granted for lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with sciatica, and herniated disc L5-S1.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent since May 3, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and therefore his claim for a TDIU is denied.