Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected DDD, DJD of the right hip, left shoulder tendonitis, and right shoulder tendonitis were denied. The claim for GERD was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left leg, and an increased rating for low back disability were pending at the time of his death. The Board found that these claims had been denied prior to his death but remanded them with instructions to consider them under a secondary service connection analysis. As the appellant filed for accrued benefits within one year of the Veteran's death, the claims are considered on their merits.

The Veteran's service-connected low back and cervical spine disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a right knee patellar tendonitis, and has assigned a non-compensable rating for the left knee disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional information and medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral knee arthritis, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen these claims. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and a separate rating of 10 percent for S1 radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The RO also denied the claim for a total disability rating based on individual employment (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for adjudication of the issue of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the January 1971 rating determination that denied service connection for a nervous condition. The issues of effective dates, TDIU, DEA eligibility, and an increased evaluation for bipolar disorder will be addressed after CUE is resolved.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, which is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board concludes that the Veteran's current low back disabilities are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine as there are no documents indicating a claim was filed prior to June 20, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection claims for neck, low back and hip disorders. The Veteran's PTSD claim is still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an increased evaluation for residuals of a fractured left ankle.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not directly caused or chronically worsened by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar II disorder, was incurred in active service. The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is also related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's spondylolisthesis at L5 and S1 is due to a disease process that was aggravated by active service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with pain and radiculopathy was denied. His current combined disability rating is 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy is being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA needs to schedule a new examination, obtain relevant medical records, and consider both old and new rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The issue of service connection for right leg venous insufficiency will also be addressed.