Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a depressive disorder. The evidence now shows that he has a current psychiatric condition related to his active service. Service connection is granted for this condition. The Veteran also has hypertension and other conditions which are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities did not cause or aggravate his current back disability, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, tinnitus, a scalp laceration scar, and PTSD. The issues include secondary service connection for hypertension, rating adjustments for PTSD, and an earlier effective date for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for duodenal ulcer and lumbar spine spondylolisthesis with chronic low back pain was granted, with a disability rating of 40 percent effective September 7, 1994. The right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral strain to include spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 is also rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral and cervical strain, and the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is linked to his left upper extremity symptoms, including radial nerve neuropathy. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and thoracic spine has been granted with effective dates set at April 16, 2001.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service. Therefore, service connection for a low back disability is not warranted.

The Board found that arthritis of multiple joints and a lumbar spine disability were not incurred in service, presumed to be related to service, or proximately due to or the result of any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with L4 degenerative disc disease does not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection is warranted, and thus the claims are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a bilateral hip or low back disability that was incurred in service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for spinal stenosis with degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that a current disability was not incurred due to service, and arthritis of the low back is not presumed to have been incurred during service.

The Veteran's low back disability has been manifested by muscle spasm and pain, but not to the extent that it warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and non-specific urethritis, combine to result in a total disability rating. The Board finds that due to these disabilities, the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.