Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar and cervical spine, finding that it is most likely caused by or a result of military service. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as there are no criteria met to grant such a rating. The claim for service connection for dental trauma has been denied due to lack of compensation eligibility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right foot disability, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee and back disabilities, finding that they are related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected IVDS with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, effective September 1, 2005. The RO granted a higher initial rating for hypertension and denied extraschedular ratings for IVDS.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling examinations to assess his neck, back, hips, knees, shoulders, and ankles.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for residuals of low back injury with L-1 compression fracture and degenerative disc and joint disease is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, an initial compensable evaluation for lumbar degenerative disc disease L4-L5 with spondylolisthesis, and increased rating for residuals of dislocation, scar, and degenerative joint disease, right shoulder were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for his lumbar degenerative disc disease L4-L5 with spondylolisthesis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability. Claims for right ankle, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his Travel Board hearing. His claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and degenerative disc disease of the low back remain pending.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma. An effective date earlier than October 2, 2007, for the assignment of a rating of 60 percent for asthma is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD of the lumbar spine and spondylolisthesis and DJD of the cervical spine were denied as there is no evidence showing forward flexion of 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar or cervical spine, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and a VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current upper back disability or cold injury to the feet. The left knee disability is currently diagnosed as early osteoarthritis and was found to be related to service, but the claim for this issue is granted.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are related to his military service and grants this claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by anxiety, sleep disturbance, hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts and irritability. The Board has determined that the criteria for a rating of 30 percent have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has worsened to the extent that it prevents him from performing his current occupation, and he is granted reentrance into a vocational rehabilitation services program.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection of low back disability. If so, the Board will then decide whether this claim should be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical addendum to determine if the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities aggravated his low back disorder. The claim is now pending and will be readjudicated based on this new evidence.