Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed low back, left hip, and right knee disorders were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, secondary to lumbar paravertebral fibromyositis, currently manifests with chronic pain and limited forward flexion. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in ankylosis or neurological impairment.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, low back, and eye disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a low back disability, finding no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the PTSD service connection is granted. The claim for an increased rating of his lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew her claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss during a Travel Board hearing. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule the Veteran for a VA spine examination, and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case on the claim for an initial compensable evaluation for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further development of his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate and foot disabilities have been reopened.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence does not establish a nexus to active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chondromalacia of the knees, and a low back condition. The claims are now considered substantiated.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, his left knee disability remains at 10 percent, and his skin disorder prior to February 4, 2008, is rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected dysthymic disorder, spina bifida occulta with discogenic low back pain and lumbosacral strain, and irritable bowel syndrome. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease has been rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 40 percent is warranted based on the functional equivalent of flexion to 10 degrees.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been manifested by x-ray evidence of degenerative joint disease, painful motion and limitation of motion. The Board found that the current evaluation of 20 percent is appropriate given the Veteran's retained mobility in his thoracolumbar spine.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals on the issues of initial increased evaluations for headaches and chronic thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease due to her withdrawal at a hearing. The right knee disability was granted service connection, but no higher evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a chronic low back disorder based on treatment during service. The Board finds that further development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of his current low back condition, including obtaining medical records from college and post-service providers.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits was denied as there is no evidence of unemployability prior to December 13, 2007. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU before this date.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues, including service connection and TDIU.