Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has been rated at 10 percent since August 6, 2003. From February 3, 2009, the disability is now rated at 20 percent due to more frequent incapacitating episodes.

The Board has granted service connection for the low back disability and denied increased ratings for the right ankle and right tibia disabilities. The TDIU claim is remanded to the RO.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service personnel records and any missing service treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot disability, and low back disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left hand arthritis, right knee arthritis, and variously diagnosed low back disability are all granted. The right knee arthritis is linked to his in-service meniscus tear. The left hand arthritis is considered secondary to the service-connected third metacarpal scar. The left knee and low back disabilities are not shown to be directly related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of in-service diagnosis or a link between current conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine strain with degenerative joint disease, L4-5 is denied as the evidence does not show severe limitation of motion or severe lumbosacral strain during the period from August 25, 1999 to May 21, 2010.,After a review of the evidence, the Board finds that the Veteran's symptoms prior to May 21, 2010 do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent under the applicable criteria.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability including left lumbar myositis, degenerative disc disease and arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for a left leg disability, finding no evidence of such a condition. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities were also not granted as the criteria for higher evaluations were not met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolysis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is not related to his military service and is a congenital defect.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 50 percent effective May 18, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period prior to this date.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD, are not considered to be directly related to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's chronic low back muscle and ligament strain was manifested by pain and limited range of motion, but did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral hip disability, and a low back disability due to lack of current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was not granted for left knee meniscal tear and chondromalacia or cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. Separate ratings of 10 percent each are assigned for radiculopathy of both the left and right lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for lumbar strain is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.