Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective July 16, 2008. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for radiculopathy into the right leg.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities did not begin in service and are not otherwise traceable to his active duty service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are service-connected due to secondary service connection via diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is also service-connected due to secondary service connection via diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for a low back disability with flexion limited to 30 degrees. The evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Board found that the appellant's low back disorder was not aggravated by VA treatment, and his right hip pain is considered new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or low back disability and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and low back disorders, to include as secondary to his service-connected chondromalacia of the knees and depression and anxiety. The case is now pending before the RO.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether a disorder of the spine was incurred during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his claimed hip and back disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board finds that a supplemental medical opinion is necessary to address the relationship between these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety was denied as there is no competent and credible evidence showing a link between his current anxiety disorder and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA spine examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The issue is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to his military service or if it is secondary to his service-connected residuals of pelvis fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic low back disability and chronic athlete's foot, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips and low back were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining specific dates of active duty and inactive duty training periods. The appellant is also to be scheduled for VA medical examinations to determine the etiology of his hypertension and low back disability.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation manifested with fewer than four episodes per year, and thus a disability rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted. The Board finds that the evidence does not support reopening his claim for service connection for chronic strain of the inner thighs or establishing service connection for heart disorders or TBI.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before another Veterans Law Judge at his local Regional Office.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are appropriate.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left arm and back disabilities. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left arm disability or a back disability that is related to his military service.