Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). The loss of sense of taste and smell are also claimed as secondary to his service-connected mandible fracture residuals or due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. His claim is based on his combat experience in Vietnam.,The Veteran claims a loss of sense of taste and smell that he believes is related to his service-connected right ramus and mandible fracture or due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right shoulder, left ankle, right ankle, hypertension, bilateral foot plantar fasciitis with left first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder all had their respective initial rating evaluations determined to be inadequate.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected cervical stenosis.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection, and his left ankle swelling was granted a 40% rating effective January 1, 2007. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy are rated at 60 percent, the maximum available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The claim for increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection for migraine headaches, major depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with musculoskeletal strain of the lumbosacral spine, and musculoskeletal strain of the cervical spine with degenerative changes are still pending.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back condition, and erectile dysfunction with incontinence. The case is being remanded to obtain additional development of the evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disability, including whether it is related to service. The Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms since service will be considered.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining his service personnel records and arranging for a VA examination of his claimed migraines.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected conditions. The issues on appeal include increased evaluations for PTSD, MDD, cervical spine DDD, and erosive reflux esophagitis; entitlement to TDIU; and service connection for constipation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated neuropathy in the lower extremities are rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The evidence does not support a rating in excess of this level for any period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, but further development is needed to determine his employment status and the impact of these conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and left inguinal hernia, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. Service connection for a low back disability was denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective February 3, 2010. He also received separate ratings of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy since February 26, 2010. His hallux valgus disabilities are rated at the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 5280. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is assigned a noncompensable rating.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current lower back disability is related to service, as his previous diagnoses include bulging/herniated discs, lumbosacral strains, chronic lower back pain, and radiculopathy.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed lumbar spine disability is not etiologically related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coccyx injury was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. His back disability remains pending as it is still under consideration.