Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on multiple service-connected conditions, including tinnitus and hearing loss, was denied. The Veteran also requested service connection for otitis media of the left ear and bronchitis, but these claims were not addressed as they are not related to service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for further development, including verifying the Veteran's periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA), obtaining a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine disability, and adjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 1, 2007.,Prior to February 22, 2010, the Veteran's hypertension was not assigned a compensable rating. Since then, he has been assigned a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain, finding that the medical evidence did not show that his entire back was unfavorably ankylosed and thus a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's nerve impingement with left side radiculopathy has been rated at 40 percent since December 28, 2009.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is found to be related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20%.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with early degenerative osteoarthritis and left leg sciatic nerve involvement are currently rated at the minimum levels. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition and asthma were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a low back disorder, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to service or any pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations. The issues of service connection for low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and Hodgkin's lymphoma are pending.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO due to new evidence and for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating for thoracic scoliosis and service connection for low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral bunions were first manifested during active duty service and are granted service connection. The low back disability, osteoporosis, and left knee disability claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with lumbar disc disease, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling prior to March 18, 2005 and 40 percent thereafter. The case is REMANDED due to the need for a new VA examination and updated VAMC treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar strain and a separate evaluation for arthritis of the right knee were granted. However, his claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative residuals of a right knee meniscectomy was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine has been withdrawn. The TDIU issue is being remanded to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's disabilities, while numerous and severe, do not render an average person unable to follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran is not permanently and totally disabled as a result of any disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his back disorder and left knee disorder are related to service, as well as to obtain updated medical records and a comprehensive examination.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar DDD and facet disease, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative residuals of a left knee anterior cruciate ligament repair. The Veteran's right knee disorder was not found to be related to service.