Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic left ankle, right ankle, tailbone, or lumbar spine disability. The service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities is also denied as there is no evidence of such disabilities during active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Veteran's back condition resulted in moderate limitations to the range of motion of the lumbar spine prior to April 24, 2014; and full range of motion with pain as of April 24, 2014. The rating assigned is 20 percent for the period prior to April 24, 2014, and 10 percent as of that date.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, including as due to service-connected left ankle arthritis. The claims for right ankle disability, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, skin disability of the back of the head and feet, gastrointestinal disability, to include gastritis, and residuals of a left buttock strain were denied on the merits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reduction of his low back disability rating from 20% to 10%. The Board has dismissed this appeal.

The Veteran's back disability is found to have had its onset during service and is granted service connection. The claim for psychiatric disabilities remains pending as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service personal assault leading to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, and it is at least as likely as not that his obstructive sleep apnea began during active military service. The Veteran's PTSD and tension headaches are rated based on their impact on daily life.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to address whether the Veteran's low back and hip disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, intervertebral osteochondrosis with spondylosis deformans at L5-S1, and protrusion at L4-5, is causally related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling addendum opinions from a VA examiner, and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any hip disability is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran died in July 2010 due to esophageal cancer. The VA determined that his service-connected post-gastrectomy syndrome and hiatal hernia did not cause or contribute to his death, as the cause of his cancer was linked to smoking and male gender rather than any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition and bilateral ankle disorder are related to his service-connected pes planus, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left thumb MCP joint and scaphoid osteoarthritis, right wrist osteoarthritis, low back strain, and right ear hearing loss have been denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found no basis to grant higher ratings or establish service connection based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder osteoarthritis and earlier effective dates for service connection were granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection was set at June 27, 2007, while the effective date for the increased rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's inability to attend a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The appeal is being returned for scheduling a new hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 15, 2010. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, nor ankylosis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining more recent treatment records and providing an appropriate VA examination.