Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's back and neck disabilities are not related to his active military service or any incident therein, nor are they due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right or left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, reopening of lumbar spine disability claim, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further consideration by the Director of Compensation and Pension Service due to his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability (PTSD and DDD with use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications).

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current right ear hearing loss or a nexus to service.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's cognitive disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's seizure disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent.,For the increased rating period prior to August 22, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's headaches met the criteria for a 10 percent rating based on symptomatology that is more nearly approximating characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the course of several months.,For the initial rating period under appeal, the Veteran's degenerative changes of the right elbow did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the initial rating period under appeal, the Veteran's degenerative changes of the left elbow did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the initial rating period prior to April 1, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. From April 1, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder met the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to service or a service-connected condition and denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hip and back disabilities did not begin during or were otherwise caused by his military service, nor were they secondary to his service-connected left toe disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his active duty or are not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are at least as likely as not due to his military experiences. The low back disability issue is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy and/or neuropathy, and sleep apnea. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lower back disorder during service or within one year after service, and concluded that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his in-service injury. The claim was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DDD with spondylolisthesis and right lower extremity radiculitis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries. The decision also addresses whether these conditions are secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, and difficulty in understanding complex commands. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, left thigh disorder, chest pain, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right foot disorder. However, service connection is granted for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder may be related to service, but more evidence is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and additional development of the record, as the current examination was inadequate in evaluating the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative joint disease and chrondrocalcinosis, finding that the conditions were aggravated by active military service. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants his claim for TDIU.