Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered a remand to ensure compliance with prior remands and to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied. The claims for an increased initial rating for PTSD, entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, and entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and left knee have been granted, while service connection for Huntington's disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to January 20, 2010, for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and an effective date prior to November 1, 2010. Other claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection for tension headaches is denied, but his TDIU claim is granted. The effective date of the TDIU rating will be assigned by the Director of Compensation and Pension Services.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20% due to limitation of flexion, with no incapacitating episodes. The claim for service connection for deteriorated eyesight was not granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and allergies due to lack of evidence showing the conditions were aggravated during service or existed prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 7, 2007 for a grant of a 40 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome was granted. The current rating is based on direct service connection and not due to any presumption or exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and scheduling of a hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 50 percent, which does not meet the schedular percentage for a TDIU.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the evaluations of DDD of the lumbar spine and facial scar, prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral knee and lumbar spine disorders, as they are not linked to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability was denied. However, the issue of entitlement to service connection for radiculopathy associated with his service-connected back disability was granted effective June 23, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar paraspinal tendonitis with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, but a higher rating of 40 percent is granted for the period beginning May 7, 2010 and ending December 26, 2013. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, warrants a 40 percent rating since May 23, 2011.