Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% likelihood (equipoise) that the Veteran's back and right hip disabilities are caused by his service-connected left knee disabilities. Therefore, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with history of sciatic nerve injury. The RO must also consider whether separately evaluating the orthopedic and neurological components would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of opinions from previous examiners.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim as his current low back disability is not etiologically related to service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year of separation from active service.

The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service, including carrying heavy equipment and being struck by a radio during an in-service motor vehicle accident. The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that his back condition was due to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's fracture of the anterior portion of the T3 and T4 vertebrae, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in service. The claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine DDD remains pending.

The Veteran's right foot disability, specifically osteoarthritis of the first and second metatarsophalangeal joints, is rated at 20 percent disabling. The decision also granted service connection for mild spondylolisthesis L5-S1 (claimed as low back condition) and osteoarthritis of the left knee.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an eye disorder has been withdrawn. The Board finds no evidence of a current hearing loss disability under VA guidelines, thus denying the claim for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it was incurred during active duty and continues to persist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint disease does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability and associated radiculopathy are not rated higher than the current 10 percent evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional service treatment records, verify dates of active duty and inactive duty training (IDT), and schedule a VA examination for his claimed cervical spine and right hand disabilities. The issue of PTSD will also be addressed in the statement of the case.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disorder as secondary to his service-connected bilateral metatarsalgia, status-post osteotomies.

The Veteran's additional disabilities, including abdominal hernia, right leg lumbar plexopathy, erectile dysfunction, and head trauma with residuals of double vision and vertigo, are not considered to be a result of carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA. The complications were known potential outcomes of the AAA surgery.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of bilateral knees and an increased rating for DDD of lumbar spine. The claim for higher initial ratings for radiculopathy in lower extremities is being remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus pre-existed service but was aggravated therein. The low back disorder is less likely than not related to his bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee conditions are service-connected, with no new evidence provided to reopen these claims. The initial ratings for both conditions remain at 10%.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain was denied, and his hypertension claim was not adjudicated as it is not related to service.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records, provide VCAA notice regarding service connection for a low back disorder on a secondary basis, and schedule the Veteran for a VA spine examination.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service. However, it granted service connection for migraine headaches, attributing them to an in-service head injury.,Service connection was established for post-concussive headaches as a result of a head injury sustained during active duty.