Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS.

The Board found no evidence of a back disorder or left knee disorder present in service, and concluded that any current disorders are not related to service. The Veteran's tinnitus was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for the claimed conditions was denied due to lack of evidence showing their onset during service or being linked to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran has degenerative arthritis and DDD of the lumbosacral spine that is the result of disease or injury incurred during active military service.

The evidence does not support a finding that the appellant's current back disability is related to his military service, and thus service connection cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection on a secondary basis due to PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disorders are not related to his active service, including a motor vehicle accident. The disabilities were first shown many years after service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a deviated nasal septum, left knee disability, and back disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck and back disorders are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service records show intermittent complaints of headaches and dizziness, but no current diagnoses have been linked to his service.,There is no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current disabilities (headaches and dizziness) to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder did not have onset during active service or within one year of separation from service, and are not otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Board restored the Veteran's 60 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability and granted entitlement to TDIU and DEA benefits. The claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for left hip and low back disabilities that he believes are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing addendum opinions, is necessary before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spondylosis and disc herniation were found to be incurred during active service, with the Board resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of the November 2014 VA examination reports and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case if any benefits are granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as his representative requested withdrawal of the appeals for the issues of entitlement to compensable ratings for bilateral patellar tendonitis, mechanical low back pain, and tension headaches (claimed as migraine headaches).

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher initial rating for his low back disability, and service connection for cervical spine arthritis was granted but no new rating assigned. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis or other chronic disability within one year post-service, and the VA examiner did not find a link between current low back and shoulder conditions and service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, his bilateral hearing loss and low back disability are both service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records, arrange for examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine their etiology, and readjudicate the claims.