Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board denied entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, prior to and from June 22, 2005.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 20 percent prior to September 26, 2003 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence of severe limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain with spina bifida and liver disorder. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective April 9, 2004. The rating reflects the current manifestations of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability is not related to service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his service treatment records and for a comprehensive VA examination to clarify the current diagnoses and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The issues include service connection for a back disability to include scoliosis.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for recurrent small bowel obstruction and entitlement to a nonservice-connected pension. The Board dismissed these claims as they were not properly before it.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were evaluated, with the lumbosacral strain receiving a 20% rating and each lower extremity radiculopathy rated at 10%. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board found that the evidence does not establish a current coccyx fracture or lumbar spine disorder related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including arachnoiditis resulting from retained opaque dye, was incurred in service and is related to his active duty.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip and low back disorders, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or a link to service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective August 17, 2007. The rating for incomplete paralysis of each lower extremity remains at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's coccydinia is related to his active service, but denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The decision is mixed as it granted one issue and denied another.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disorders due to inadequate rationale provided in VA examinations, requiring further development including additional medical opinions.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a lumbar spine disability that is attributable to military service and therefore, denied his claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's current lumbosacral spine disability is not related to active service or any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Humana Health Group and reviewing new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which encompasses all of his symptoms and associated functional impairment. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.