Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including lumbar strain, cervical strain with bilateral radiculopathy, right hip strain, and traumatic brain injury. The issues include increased ratings for these conditions as well as a TDIU prior to September 11, 2008. Additional development is needed due to incomplete examination reports and conflicting employment history.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development. The other claims are currently in a state of pending status.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is denied as there is no legal entitlement to such a date.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 20 percent for the service-connected lumbar spine disability, effective from June 3, 2011.

The Board has determined that additional medical examination and opinion are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and low back disability. The claims will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, onychomycosis of toenails and fingernails, hernia, and gastrointestinal disability are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease at L4-5 is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service personnel records and a medical opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected, but his bilateral pes planus warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic back disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that was incurred or aggravated by her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's low back disability and neurological symptoms in the lower extremities have not met the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's postoperative lumbar spine disability, manifested by degenerative changes and right foot drop, is due to disease or injury that was aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee injury, low back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome (RLS), and sinusitis. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities are directly related to his military service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability resulted in reduced range of motion, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings. The initial rating of 10 percent was granted effective July 16, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including DJD of the lumbar spine, bursitis of the left shoulder, mucous retention cyst of the right maxillary sinus, and pressure on the brain with headaches and dizzy spells, all associated with participation in Project SHAD. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from MacDill Air Force Base and requesting an addendum opinion from the September 2012 VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.