Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes cavus. Therefore, these disabilities have been granted secondary service connection.

The Board granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with spina bifida, finding new and material evidence had been submitted. The claims for sleep apnea and increased rating for gout were also addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar disc disease is not shown to have resulted in any additional limitation of motion or functional impairment that would warrant a higher rating than the current 10 percent. The claim for service connection for pain in the lower legs has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated treatment records and for a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities, specifically her lumbar spine and knee conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed low back disorder, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is at least as likely as not incurred in service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 10, 2007. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

Service connection for PTSD, left eye cataract, low back disability, gall bladder disability, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, kidney disability, heart disability, and periodontal disease has been granted.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain with degenerative changes has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, thus preventing a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing and will give him one more opportunity for a hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the appellant's current lower back disability is related to his military service, including any incidents therein.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 60 percent, effective January 28, 1993. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability was not caused or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran does not have a current disability of the right knee or thigh that is related to an injury in service. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a current gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, or lumbar spine disability that may be associated with service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and back disability, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine and consideration of her TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations for each of the claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current thoracolumbar spine disorder or right hip disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including her Tarlov's cyst and degenerative disc disease, was increased to a 20 percent evaluation effective December 6, 2012.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted a 50 percent rating, the maximum available under current criteria. The effective date is pending as the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine remains pending.