Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding service connection for depression, secondary to service-connected residuals of lumbosacral strain as there is no disputed question of law or fact. The RO's May 2010 rating decision granted service connection at a 30 percent initial evaluation for depression, secondary to service-connected residuals of lumbosacral strain.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the current low back disorder to service, and denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to his left knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and back disorder are both found to be related to his active service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder (flat feet) and a lower back disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing flat feet aggravated by service. The lower back disorder was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no competent medical evidence showing that any of the claimed conditions had their onset in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed back disability, COPD, sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, and gastric ulcer due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is found to be causally related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nephrolithiasis and an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of nephrolithiasis, nor was there any evidence of continuity of symptomatology from service to present. For the thoracolumbar spine condition, the Board found that while forward flexion was limited to 70 degrees at one examination and 80 degrees at another, this did not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation under the General Rating Formula.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence and a need for updated examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability was denied. The extension of a temporary total disability rating after October 1, 2005 was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with bilateral facet joint arthritis at L4-5 and L5-S1 is manifested by limitation of flexion to 40 degrees, but without any incapacitating episodes having a duration of more than six weeks in any one-year period. The VA granted an increased rating of 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has determined that DJD of the lumbar spine is service connected. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy may be related to his service-connected DJD or herbicide exposure, but further examination and medical opinion are needed to establish a clear connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for lumbar disc disease and arthritis of the left knee, as well as his claim for service connection for PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy has not met the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's current low back and ankle disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hip and lumbar spine disabilities, affect a single body system (orthopedic) and her overall combined rating is 70 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities, thus granting TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to new information indicating the Veteran's release from prison and his continued receipt of VA medical care. The case will be reviewed after obtaining any relevant VA medical records and conducting a VA orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues, including the need for a travel board hearing. The claims of increased rating for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and TDIU are both pending.