Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, low back disability, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service. The conditions did not meet criteria for presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicides or other factors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a new examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected diverticulosis, degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, and major depressive disorder were denied. The Veteran was currently rated at 10 percent for each condition.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine as secondary to left knee and/or left hip strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown until many years after service, and the preponderance of the competent evidence of record is against a finding that the currently diagnosed condition is related to active duty service. The low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected left ankle fracture with degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's request for withdrawal on his claim for residuals of a hiatal hernia was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evidentiary and procedural development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine with radicular symptoms to the upper and lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including Social Security Administration records, VA outpatient treatment records, and clinical records from healthcare providers who have treated him for spine symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain and athlete's fungal infection of the feet are not supported by evidence showing they warrant a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The claim for TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right knee, tendonitis of the right shoulder and wrist, hemorrhoids, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from March 1, 2008 were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran is granted service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the bilateral knees with degenerative changes, psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder), DJD of the lumbosacral spine, and tinnitus.,Service connection is established based on a legal presumption due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability, which he claims is related to a landmine blast during his military service. The claim will be remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and an examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially or materially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, including his service-connected residuals of brain trauma.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his back disability and whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss will also be addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 26, 2006. The rating is maintained as the condition did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting neurological examinations to determine the severity of the appellant's lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated as 40 percent disabling since December 20, 2006. The rating is based on the limitation of motion and ankylosis of part of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current functional limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since July 29, 2008. However, prior to that date, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Board has determined that arthritis, including degenerative diseases of the spine and knees, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.