Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of arthritis in service or within one year after discharge, and the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, bilateral elbow disability, and bilateral hand disability. The Veteran's claims are also supported by credible evidence showing continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for tension headaches, a sleep disorder, bilateral restless leg syndrome, and skin disorder during the September 2014 Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee chondromalacia patella is currently rated at 10 percent prior to December 15, 2009 and in excess of 10 percent from that date. The Veteran does not have a low back disability or left knee disability for which she seeks service connection.

The Veteran's back disability and right ear hearing loss are found to be related to service, with the Board finding that a VA examination is necessary for clarification.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his right hand disability is rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability and a left leg disability, to include as secondary to the low back disability. The case is being remanded due to an inextricably intertwined issue of service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service connected as it is etiologically related to an in-service injury. The right leg and right knee disabilities are not service connected.

The Board has restored the previously assigned evaluations for thoracic spine, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for back and right foot disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to damaged records from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 20 percent rating effective May 27, 2011. His radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has been rated as 20 percent disabling since April 27, 2014.

The Veteran's back disorder and TBI are related to his active duty service, but there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection for the left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including those from his VA treatment. The Board also requests an opinion on whether his lumbar spine disability is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and review of outstanding VA treatment records. The issue of rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine must be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as it was incurred in active service. The other claims are pending and will be addressed further.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the underlying claims can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disability to his active military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of chronic symptoms or disease during service, and the current degenerative changes in the cervical spine are not related to active service. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.