Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain is rated at 40 percent since April 15, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this disability prior to April 15, 2008 or after that date. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is currently employed part-time and has not been terminated from his job due to his service-connected conditions.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence to etiologically link the current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings has been withdrawn, and the claims for cervical intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar degenerative disc disease, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, left upper extremity radiculopathy with cubital tunnel syndrome, residuals of partial medial meniscectomy, residual spurring from ankle injury, headaches associated with discectomy and fusion, and scar have all been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 4, 2007 and at 20 percent thereafter. The decision grants a rating of 20 percent for the period from December 4, 2007 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if any low back disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to secure the reports of any VA examinations he alleges were conducted, and for further medical opinions regarding his claimed low back disability, left ankle disability, and skin condition.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating under VA compensation standards.,For his low back disorder, the evidence shows that he has forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine between 60 degrees and 85 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees but not more than 235 degrees. There is no evidence of muscle spasm, guarding, localized tenderness, ankylosis, or additional functional impairment due to repetitive use.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder and a back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on pleural thick thickness, COPD, low back disorder, chronic bronchitis and residuals of sea sickness has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of a notice of disagreement in regard to these issues.

The Veteran's low back and hemorrhoids disabilities were found to not warrant higher ratings, while his hearing loss disability was also found not to warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective April 15, 1992. The left shoulder disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to July 18, 2005 and then increased to 20 percent since that date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative changes, PTSD, and chronic bronchitis. The lumbar spine degenerative changes are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling, and chronic bronchitis is rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic low back disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing VCAA notice.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a cervical spine disability remain pending and require further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and sciatica, right lower extremity. Higher ratings may be warranted based on the results of this examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues, and his hearing request has been noted.