Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal of his TDIU claim prior to November 2012 is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted, with the effective date set at March 9, 2005. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy from March 9, 2005 to July 23, 2009, with the effective date set at that time. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from Brown's VA Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing low back disability was aggravated by military service, but his neck disability is not due to or the result of any incident of service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to her service or secondary to her service-connected pelvic inflammatory disease.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his low back disability and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy and neurogenic claudication have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a kidney disability, residuals of a concussion, neck disability, or lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and left leg disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals associated with hysterectomy claimed as muscle spasms, lumbosacral strain, cervical neck pain with bone spur, nerve root irritation, muscle spasms, arthritis, and severe left side pain, or migraine headaches related to service. The claim for PTSD is also denied.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, particularly from private chiropractic treatment providers and VA outpatient clinics.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to service, including his complaints during active duty. The preponderance of evidence indicates the condition began after service and is not linked to any in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since August 29, 2005. The RO granted a full grant of this issue.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, does not warrant a rating higher than the currently assigned 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran on this issue, granting service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder bicipital tendinosis and lumbar strain disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no link between the Veteran's current back, left knee, and right knee disabilities and his service. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions started during or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, bilateral knee strain with arthritis, and lumbar strain.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU, as well as her issues regarding sleep disturbances. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's current degenerative disk disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied her claim.