Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for an examination during a flare-up of symptoms.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back condition did not begin during or as a result of his military service, including as secondary to his service-connected left leg edema. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's back disorder is related to his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional private treatment records and providing an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to require regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for additional medical opinions to determine if it was incurred in service and whether the pre-existing condition worsened during service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and PTSD in February 2006, finding no new evidence to support the claims. The Veteran's petition to reopen these claims has been granted.,Service connection for PTSD is reopened based on new evidence provided since the last final denial.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis effective as of September 30, 2010 was improper. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease, is related to his active military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective January 18, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, as it was first manifested shortly after his separation from service and is related to his military duties. The right knee and left knee disorders are not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain/sprain with disc herniation at L4-L5 and lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prior to January 29, 2013 was denied. The Veteran received a 10% rating for the left lower extremity condition since that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently manifested and diagnosed diffuse degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine is etiologically related to his military service, including repetitive-use injuries during his time in the postal service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a back disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice and scheduling for a VA examination. The examiner will determine if any current back disability is related to service, including an in-service injury during training exercise in Germany.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a cervical spine disorder in service, and that any current cervical spine disability is less likely than not related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell disease has been reopened and is granted. He is also awarded secondary service connection for multiple conditions as secondary to his sickle cell disease, including right shoulder/arm disorder, hemorrhoids (blood in stool), fungal dermatitis, psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, heart condition, eye disorders (glaucoma and blindness in the left eye), muscle and joint pain, erectile dysfunction, and alopecia. His rating for vertigo remains at 30 percent.