Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to missing records and incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep disorder, insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, and residuals of fractured nose are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, status post fusion L4-S1, is currently rated at 20 percent and her radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are also rated at 20 percent each. The appeal for higher evaluations has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of increased rating for cephalgia and reopening service connection for a lumbosacral disorder are no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radicular pain on the left leg is considered service connected as it was incurred during his active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bowel dysfunction, bladder dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is also denied regarding entitlement to a higher initial disability rating for low back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back disability and for TDIU due to inadequate evidence from the last examination, which was conducted nearly 2 years ago. The Veteran testified that his condition has worsened since then.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed low back disorder and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's reported low back pain is not causally or etiologically related to his period of active service, and the Board finds that a preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection for a low back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience from September 22, 2011.

The Veteran's claims to service connection for right shoulder, bilateral wrist and finger, back, neck, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders have been denied as the evidence does not establish a nexus between his current diagnoses and military service.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is presumed to have been incurred in service due to continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal as to service connection for a TBI was withdrawn. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disorder were also withdrawn.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for left knee disability (secondary to right knee) and lumbar spine disability (secondary to right knee). The appellant's testimony suggests a link between his current disabilities and his service-connected right knee, warranting further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability, to include pulmonary nodules. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is also denied.

The Veteran's lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine with lumbar strain. The vitamin D deficiency and lumbar spine disorder appeals are dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine condition has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's July 2011 surgery for a herniated disk was not considered treatment of his service-connected low back condition. The claim for an increased rating for the low back disability is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a DRO hearing and, if necessary, another Board hearing. The claims will be readjudicated after these hearings.

The Board has determined that service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is granted as it is at least in equipoise whether this condition is related to military service.

The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine was evaluated at a 20 percent rating since February 1, 2008. The disability is currently manifested by forward flexion to no less than 35 degrees, accounting for pain on motion and after repetition; no ankylosis; and no incapacitating episodes.